CVE-2025-49281: Magways Plugin LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49281 Overview

CVE-2025-49281 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Magways WordPress theme developed by unfoldwp. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in the PHP program, classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the target server through manipulated file path parameters, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure, arbitrary code execution, or further system compromise.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive files from the server, potentially exposing configuration files, database credentials, or achieving code execution through log poisoning techniques.

Affected Products

• Magways WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.2.1
• All installations of the Magways theme from unfoldwp without security patches
• WordPress websites using vulnerable Magways theme configurations

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-09 - CVE CVE-2025-49281 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49281

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied file path parameters within the Magways WordPress theme. When PHP include or require statements accept user-controllable input without proper validation, attackers can manipulate these parameters to traverse directories and include arbitrary local files.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes typically occur when template loading mechanisms or dynamic content inclusion features fail to properly sanitize file path inputs. This can allow attackers to access sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd, WordPress configuration files like wp-config.php, or PHP session files.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper control of filename parameters passed to PHP's include() or require() functions. The Magways theme fails to adequately validate and sanitize user input before using it to construct file paths for dynamic inclusion. This allows directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

CWE-98 specifically addresses this pattern where PHP programs allow remote or local file inclusion through manipulated include/require paths, making it a well-documented vulnerability class in PHP web applications.

Attack Vector

Exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences to navigate the filesystem and include sensitive files. The attacker can manipulate URL parameters, form inputs, or other user-controllable data that feeds into the vulnerable include statement.

For example, an attacker might submit a request with a parameter containing ../../../../etc/passwd or ../../../../wp-config.php to access system or WordPress configuration files respectively. Combined with techniques like log poisoning (injecting PHP code into log files and then including them), this vulnerability can escalate to remote code execution.

Detailed technical information about this vulnerability can be found in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49281

Indicators of Compromise

• Web server access logs showing requests with directory traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting theme files
• Unusual file access patterns in PHP error logs referencing system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
• Evidence of sensitive file content in HTTP responses or application logs
• Log entries showing attempts to access files outside the web root directory

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block directory traversal attempts in request parameters
• Monitor web server logs for patterns containing path traversal sequences targeting the Magways theme endpoints
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Use security plugins that scan for known vulnerable WordPress themes and components

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed access logging on web servers and review logs for suspicious path manipulation attempts
• Configure alerting for any requests containing encoded or unencoded directory traversal sequences
• Monitor WordPress theme files for unauthorized modifications that could indicate successful exploitation
• Implement network-level monitoring for unusual data exfiltration patterns following potential LFI exploitation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49281

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Magways WordPress theme to a patched version if available from the vendor
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or removing the Magways theme
• Implement web application firewall rules to block directory traversal attempts
• Review server logs for any signs of exploitation attempts or successful attacks
• Restrict file system permissions to limit the impact of potential LFI exploitation

Patch Information

Organizations should check with unfoldwp for an updated version of the Magways theme that addresses this vulnerability. Monitor the Patchstack vulnerability database for updates on available patches. If a patched version is released, update immediately through the WordPress admin dashboard or by manually uploading the corrected theme files.

Workarounds

• Disable the Magways theme and switch to an alternative WordPress theme until a patch is available
• Implement strict input validation at the web server level using ModSecurity or similar WAF solutions
• Use PHP configuration directives like open_basedir to restrict file access to specific directories
• Apply the principle of least privilege to web server file permissions to minimize accessible sensitive files
• Consider using WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities for known vulnerabilities

# Apache ModSecurity rule to block directory traversal attempts
SecRule REQUEST_URI|ARGS|ARGS_NAMES "@rx (\.\./|\.\.\\)" \
    "id:1001,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    log,\
    msg:'Directory Traversal Attempt Blocked',\
    tag:'CVE-2025-49281'"

# PHP open_basedir restriction in php.ini or .htaccess
# php_value open_basedir "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"