CVE-2025-48149: Cook&Meal Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-48149 Overview

CVE-2025-48149 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Cook&Meal WordPress theme developed by dedalx. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, allowing attackers to include local files on the target system. This weakness is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to include arbitrary local files, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, or in some cases, remote code execution through log file poisoning or other chained attack techniques.

Affected Products

• Cook&Meal WordPress Theme version 1.2.3 and earlier
• All installations running vulnerable versions of the cookandmeal theme

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-08-20 - CVE-2025-48149 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48149

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization in the Cook&Meal WordPress theme. The application fails to properly validate user-supplied input before using it in PHP include or require statements. When an attacker can control or influence the filename parameter passed to these functions, they can traverse the file system and include arbitrary local files.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in PHP applications are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php, system files like /etc/passwd, or application logs. In WordPress environments, successful exploitation could reveal database credentials, authentication keys, and other sensitive information stored in configuration files.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper handling of user-controlled input in PHP include/require statements within the Cook&Meal theme. The theme likely uses dynamic file inclusion based on user input without adequate path validation or sanitization. This allows directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to be used to escape the intended directory and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

The lack of input validation means the application does not verify that the requested file exists within an allowed directory or matches an expected pattern before including it.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating URL parameters or form inputs that are used in file inclusion operations. By injecting directory traversal sequences, the attacker can navigate outside the web root and include sensitive system or application files.

The attack typically involves crafting malicious requests that contain path traversal payloads. When processed by the vulnerable PHP code, these payloads cause the server to include unintended local files. The included file's contents may be displayed to the attacker or executed as PHP code if the file contains valid PHP syntax.

For detailed technical information and exploitation scenarios, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48149

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual web server access logs containing directory traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or ....// in request parameters
• HTTP requests attempting to access sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or application log files
• Multiple failed or successful attempts to access files outside the web root directory
• Unexpected file read operations in PHP error logs or security monitoring tools

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing path traversal patterns
• Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests targeting PHP files with unusual query parameters
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for LFI attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed access logging on web servers and review logs regularly for traversal attempts
• Set up alerts for requests containing common LFI payloads targeting the cookandmeal theme
• Monitor for unusual file access patterns in WordPress theme directories
• Implement real-time security monitoring for PHP include/require function calls with external input

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48149

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or remove the Cook&Meal theme if it is not essential to site functionality
• Apply any available security patches or updates from the theme developer
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting the affected theme
• Review server access logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Consider switching to an alternative WordPress theme that is actively maintained

Patch Information

Users should check with the theme developer (dedalx) for updated versions that address this vulnerability. According to the available information, all versions through 1.2.3 are affected. Until an official patch is released, implementing the workarounds below is strongly recommended.

For the latest security information, visit the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database entry.

Workarounds

• Implement server-level restrictions to prevent PHP from including files outside designated directories using open_basedir configuration
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules to block LFI attack patterns
• Restrict file system permissions to limit the web server's ability to read sensitive files
• Disable the vulnerable theme and use an alternative until a patch is available

# Example PHP configuration to restrict file inclusion paths
# Add to php.ini or .htaccess (Apache)
php_admin_value open_basedir "/var/www/html:/tmp"

# Apache mod_rewrite rule to block common LFI patterns
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|wp-config) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]