CVE-2025-48160: Caliris WordPress LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-48160 Overview

CVE-2025-48160 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the CocoBasic Caliris WordPress theme (caliris-wp). This vulnerability arises from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

WordPress themes that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file inclusion functions can expose sensitive server files, configuration data, and potentially enable further exploitation through log poisoning or other chained attack techniques.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to read sensitive files from the server, including configuration files containing database credentials, and potentially achieve code execution through advanced LFI exploitation techniques.

Affected Products

• CocoBasic Caliris WordPress Theme (caliris-wp) versions through 1.5
• WordPress installations running vulnerable Caliris theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-08-20 - CVE-2025-48160 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48160

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-controlled input that is subsequently used in PHP file inclusion operations within the Caliris WordPress theme. PHP's include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() functions, when processing unvalidated file path parameters, can be manipulated to load arbitrary files from the local filesystem.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network, though exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, indicating some complexity in achieving successful exploitation. Once exploited, attackers can potentially compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes are particularly dangerous because they can expose the wp-config.php file, which contains database credentials and authentication keys, or allow attackers to read system files like /etc/passwd on Linux servers.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-48160 is the improper sanitization of user-supplied input before it is passed to PHP file inclusion functions. The Caliris theme fails to implement adequate input validation, path canonicalization, or allowlist-based filtering to restrict which files can be included. This allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory and access arbitrary files on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network by unauthenticated attackers. The attack vector involves crafting malicious requests that contain directory traversal sequences or specially crafted file paths. These paths are processed by the vulnerable PHP code, which includes the attacker-specified file instead of the intended resource.

Common exploitation techniques for PHP LFI vulnerabilities include:

• Using path traversal sequences (../) to navigate to sensitive files
• Accessing /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, or Windows equivalent files
• Reading WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php)
• Combining with log poisoning to achieve remote code execution
• Exploiting PHP wrappers like php://filter to extract source code

For detailed technical analysis and exploitation vectors, refer to the Patchstack vulnerability database entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48160

Indicators of Compromise

• Web server logs containing requests with directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ..%252f)
• Access attempts to sensitive file paths such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or /proc/self/environ
• Unusual file read operations from web server processes accessing files outside the WordPress directory
• Requests containing PHP wrapper strings like php://filter, php://input, or expect://

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing path traversal sequences
• Enable verbose logging on web servers to capture full request URIs and parameters
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on sensitive configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for LFI attack patterns
• Monitor for anomalous file access patterns from PHP processes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerts for access attempts to sensitive system files from web application contexts
• Implement real-time log analysis for directory traversal attack signatures
• Monitor WordPress error logs for file inclusion failures that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Set up baseline monitoring for normal theme file access patterns to detect anomalies

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48160

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Caliris WordPress theme if a patched version is not available
• Switch to an alternative WordPress theme that is actively maintained and security-audited
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal sequences targeting the theme
• Review web server logs for signs of prior exploitation attempts

Patch Information

At the time of publication, users should consult the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest patch status and remediation guidance from the vendor. If no patch is available, removal of the vulnerable theme is strongly recommended.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block LFI attack patterns including path traversal sequences
• Implement server-level restrictions using open_basedir PHP directive to limit file access scope
• Use ModSecurity or similar tools with OWASP CRS ruleset to detect and block exploitation attempts
• Disable the vulnerable theme and use a secure alternative until an official patch is released

# Example: Configure PHP open_basedir restriction in php.ini or .htaccess
# This limits PHP file operations to the specified directories
php_admin_value open_basedir "/var/www/html:/tmp"

# Example: ModSecurity rule to block common LFI patterns
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains ../" "id:1001,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt Detected'"