CVE-2025-49282: Magze WordPress Plugin LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49282 Overview

CVE-2025-49282 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Magze WordPress theme developed by unfoldwp. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server. This type of vulnerability (CWE-98) can lead to information disclosure, remote code execution, or complete system compromise depending on the server configuration and available files.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers may be able to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other LFI-to-RCE techniques on WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of the Magze theme.

Affected Products

• Magze WordPress Theme versions 1.0.9 and earlier
• WordPress installations using the affected Magze theme
• Web servers hosting WordPress sites with the vulnerable theme installed

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-09 - CVE-2025-49282 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49282

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input that is used in PHP include() or require() statements within the Magze WordPress theme. When the application accepts file path parameters without proper sanitization, an attacker can manipulate these inputs to traverse directories and include arbitrary files from the local filesystem.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network, though successful exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, indicating higher attack complexity. No user interaction or authentication is required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible WordPress installations.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The Magze theme fails to properly validate or sanitize user-controlled input before using it in file inclusion operations. This allows attackers to inject path traversal sequences (such as ../) or specify absolute paths to access files outside the intended directory scope.

Common vulnerable patterns include:

• Direct use of $_GET or $_POST parameters in include() calls
• Insufficient filtering of directory traversal sequences
• Missing whitelist validation of allowed file paths
• Lack of path canonicalization before file operations

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable via network-based requests targeting the affected WordPress theme components. An attacker would typically craft HTTP requests containing malicious file path parameters designed to traverse the directory structure and include sensitive files.

Typical exploitation targets include:

• /etc/passwd for user enumeration on Linux systems
• wp-config.php for database credentials and authentication keys
• Log files for log poisoning attacks that can escalate to remote code execution
• Other PHP files that may contain hardcoded credentials or sensitive logic

The vulnerability mechanism involves manipulating URL parameters or form inputs to include files outside the intended scope. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49282

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences like ../ or URL-encoded variants (%2e%2e%2f)
• Web server access logs showing requests to theme endpoints with suspicious file path parameters
• Unexpected file access attempts recorded in system audit logs
• Evidence of wp-config.php or /etc/passwd content in response data

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Monitor web server logs for requests containing .., %2e, or null byte sequences targeting theme-related endpoints
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Enable PHP error logging to capture failed file inclusion attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for path traversal signature matches in WAF or IDS systems
• Establish baseline metrics for theme-related endpoint access and alert on anomalies
• Implement centralized log collection for WordPress installations to enable cross-site correlation
• Monitor for outbound data exfiltration following potential LFI exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49282

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Magze theme to the latest patched version if available from the developer
• Disable or remove the Magze theme if no patch is currently available
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting WordPress theme endpoints
• Review web server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Organizations should check the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for the latest patching guidance from the vendor. If no official patch is available, consider replacing the Magze theme with a secure alternative.

Workarounds

• Implement strict input validation at the web server or WAF level to block path traversal sequences
• Configure PHP open_basedir directive to restrict file access to the WordPress installation directory
• Deploy ModSecurity or similar WAF with OWASP Core Rule Set to detect LFI attack patterns
• Consider using a virtual patching solution until an official fix is released

# Apache ModSecurity rule example to block path traversal
SecRule REQUEST_URI|ARGS|ARGS_NAMES "@contains ../" \
    "id:1001,phase:1,deny,status:403,log,msg:'Path traversal attempt blocked'"

# PHP open_basedir configuration in php.ini
open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress:/tmp

# Nginx configuration to block suspicious requests
location ~* "(\.\.)" {
    deny all;
    return 403;
}