CVE-2025-49275: Blogbyte Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49275 Overview

CVE-2025-49275 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the unfoldwp Blogbyte WordPress theme. The flaw stems from improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements, classified under [CWE-98]. Attackers can manipulate file path parameters to load arbitrary local files through the PHP interpreter. The vulnerability affects Blogbyte versions up to and including 1.1.1. Successful exploitation can lead to sensitive information disclosure, execution of attacker-controlled PHP files already present on the host, and full compromise of the WordPress site.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can include arbitrary PHP files, potentially achieving remote code execution and full WordPress site compromise.

Affected Products

unfoldwp Blogbyte WordPress theme — all versions through 1.1.1
WordPress installations using the vulnerable Blogbyte theme
Sites where the theme remains active without an applied patch

Discovery Timeline

2025-06-09 - CVE-2025-49275 published to NVD
2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49275

Vulnerability Analysis

The Blogbyte theme accepts user-supplied input that flows into a PHP include or require statement without adequate validation. This pattern, defined under [CWE-98], allows an attacker to control which file the PHP interpreter loads at runtime. Because PHP executes the contents of included files as code, an attacker who can point an include call to an attacker-controlled or sensitive file gains direct execution or disclosure capability.

The attack requires no authentication and is delivered over the network. Exploitation complexity is elevated because the attacker must satisfy specific conditions in the request path or parameters. When those conditions are met, the impact extends to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host. The EPSS probability is 0.547% at the 68th percentile, indicating moderate predicted exploitation interest.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient sanitization of a file path parameter consumed by a PHP include, include_once, require, or require_once call inside the Blogbyte theme. The theme trusts attacker-controllable input to determine which file to load.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable Blogbyte endpoint, supplying a path parameter that resolves to a sensitive local file or a previously planted PHP file. The PHP interpreter then includes and executes the targeted file in the context of the web server. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49275

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Blogbyte theme files containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or absolute paths in query parameters
Web server access logs showing parameter values referencing /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or php:// wrappers
Unexpected PHP files appearing under the WordPress uploads directory followed by requests that include them

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and WordPress access logs for requests targeting Blogbyte theme PHP files with suspicious file path parameters
Deploy WordPress security plugins or a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules that detect LFI patterns including null byte injection and wrapper schemes
Correlate file system telemetry on the web host with HTTP request logs to identify newly created files followed by inclusion attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor for the presence and version of the Blogbyte theme across managed WordPress sites
Alert on PHP processes spawning unexpected child processes such as sh, bash, curl, or wget from the web server user
Track outbound network connections initiated by the WordPress PHP-FPM or Apache worker processes

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49275

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running the unfoldwp Blogbyte theme version 1.1.1 or earlier
Deactivate and remove the Blogbyte theme on any site where a patched version is not yet available
Apply WAF rules that block path traversal sequences and PHP stream wrappers in query parameters

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists affected versions through 1.1.1 with no fixed version explicitly cited in the NVD record. Consult the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for the latest fix availability and update to any released version greater than 1.1.1 once published by the vendor.

Workarounds

Switch to an alternative maintained WordPress theme until a vendor patch is released
Restrict access to the WordPress site behind authentication or IP allowlists during remediation
Configure PHP with allow_url_include=Off and open_basedir restrictions to limit included file paths

bash

# Example php.ini hardening to reduce file inclusion impact
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"
disable_functions = "exec,passthru,shell_exec,system,proc_open,popen"