CVE-2025-47576: Bimber Theme RFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-47576 Overview

CVE-2025-47576 is a PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability in the Bringthepixel Bimber - Viral Magazine WordPress Theme. The flaw stems from improper control of the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements [CWE-98]. All versions up to and including 9.2.5 are affected. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can supply attacker-controlled paths to inclusion functions, leading to execution of arbitrary PHP code on the host. The issue is tracked by Patchstack and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected WordPress installations.

Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can include and execute arbitrary PHP files, resulting in full compromise of the WordPress site and underlying server context.

Affected Products

Bringthepixel Bimber - Viral Magazine WordPress Theme versions up to and including 9.2.5
WordPress sites running the vulnerable Bimber theme
Hosting environments where the Bimber theme processes user-supplied file parameters

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-19 - CVE-2025-47576 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-04-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47576

Vulnerability Analysis

The Bimber theme passes externally influenced input into a PHP file inclusion statement without sufficient validation. PHP file inclusion functions such as include, include_once, require, and require_once parse and execute any PHP code contained in the referenced file. When an attacker controls the filename argument, they can direct the application to load attacker-supplied or attacker-staged content. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network and requires only low-privilege authentication, making compromise feasible from any account that can reach the affected theme endpoints. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) places this issue in the 70th percentile, reflecting a meaningful probability of exploitation activity.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of the filename used in PHP include/require statements [CWE-98]. The theme accepts a user-influenced parameter and concatenates or passes it directly to an inclusion function without restricting the path to a safe allowlist or stripping traversal sequences and remote URI schemes. PHP environments where allow_url_include is enabled extend this weakness to true remote file inclusion, while local file inclusion remains exploitable in default configurations.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable Bimber theme endpoint, supplying a path parameter that resolves to a PHP file under attacker control. Common exploitation paths include uploading a benign-looking file (image metadata, log poisoning, session files) that contains embedded PHP, then including that file via the vulnerable parameter. The included file executes in the context of the web server, granting code execution, data theft, persistence through webshells, and lateral movement opportunities. Refer to the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report for advisory details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47576

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected PHP files (webshells) appearing in wp-content/uploads/ or theme directories
HTTP requests to Bimber theme endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or absolute filesystem paths
Outbound HTTP requests originating from the web server to unfamiliar hosts shortly after inclusion requests
New or modified administrator accounts in WordPress without a corresponding change record

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for requests to Bimber theme files carrying suspicious file or path parameters
Monitor PHP error logs for include/require warnings referencing unexpected paths
Apply file integrity monitoring to the WordPress installation, theme directory, and uploads folder
Use Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that block traversal patterns and remote URI schemes in query parameters

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on creation of .php files inside uploads or media directories
Track WordPress user role changes and new plugin or theme installations in near real time
Forward web server, PHP, and WordPress audit logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47576

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites using the Bimber theme and confirm the installed version
Restrict access to WordPress administrative and authenticated endpoints to trusted networks where feasible
Rotate WordPress credentials and review user accounts for unauthorized additions
Scan the filesystem for unknown PHP files in writable directories and remove any webshells

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists all versions from n/a through 9.2.5 as affected. Consult the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report for the current fixed version and upgrade to the latest release provided by Bringthepixel.

Workarounds

Disable the Bimber theme and switch to a known-safe theme until a patched version is installed
Set allow_url_include = Off and allow_url_fopen = Off in php.ini to limit remote inclusion
Deploy WAF rules to block requests containing ../, php://, data://, or http:// in parameters processed by the theme
Apply least-privilege filesystem permissions so the web server cannot write to PHP-executable directories

bash

# Configuration example: harden PHP against file inclusion abuse
# /etc/php/8.x/fpm/php.ini
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"
disable_functions = "exec,passthru,shell_exec,system,proc_open,popen"

# Restrict write permissions on the WordPress uploads directory
find /var/www/html/wp-content/uploads -type f -name "*.php" -print
chmod -R 750 /var/www/html/wp-content/themes/bimber