CVE-2025-49296: Grandprix Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49296 Overview

CVE-2025-49296 is a Path Traversal vulnerability in the Mikado-Themes GrandPrix WordPress theme that enables PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI). This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to traverse directory paths and include arbitrary PHP files from the local file system, potentially leading to information disclosure, sensitive data exposure, or remote code execution through log poisoning or other chained attacks.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables unauthenticated attackers to include arbitrary local PHP files via path traversal, potentially allowing sensitive data exposure, configuration file access, and remote code execution when combined with other attack vectors.

Affected Products

• Qodeinteractive GrandPrix WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.6
• WordPress installations running vulnerable GrandPrix theme
• All sites using GrandPrix theme from n/a through version 1.6

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-09 - CVE CVE-2025-49296 published to NVD
• 2026-01-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49296

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation in the GrandPrix WordPress theme, specifically classified under CWE-35 (Path Traversal). The theme fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file inclusion operations, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and include arbitrary PHP files from the server's file system.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited without authentication. An attacker can leverage path traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory and access sensitive files including wp-config.php, server configuration files, or log files that may contain sensitive information.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and sanitization of user-controlled parameters that are subsequently used in PHP file inclusion functions. The GrandPrix theme does not adequately filter path traversal characters or validate that requested files reside within expected directories before including them.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences to include arbitrary local PHP files. The attack complexity is low, making this vulnerability readily exploitable by attackers with basic knowledge of LFI techniques.

Exploitation typically involves sending specially crafted requests to vulnerable theme endpoints, using directory traversal sequences to navigate outside the theme directory and include sensitive system files or other PHP files that can lead to code execution.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49296

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ....//) targeting theme files
• Web server logs showing requests for sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or log files through theme endpoints
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or unexpected file access patterns
• Anomalous access to GrandPrix theme resources with encoded or obfuscated path characters

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal sequences in request parameters
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing ../ patterns or encoded variants targeting the GrandPrix theme directory
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on LFI attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all requests to WordPress theme endpoints
• Set up alerts for repeated failed file access attempts or 403/404 errors associated with path traversal patterns
• Monitor for unusual PHP error messages related to file inclusion failures
• Review server access logs regularly for suspicious request patterns targeting the GrandPrix theme

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49296

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the GrandPrix theme to a patched version if available from the vendor
• Temporarily deactivate the GrandPrix theme if no patch is available and switch to a secure alternative
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting theme files
• Review server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts and investigate any suspicious activity

Patch Information

Administrators should check the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database for the latest patch information and remediation guidance from the security researchers who disclosed this vulnerability. Contact Qodeinteractive (Mikado-Themes) directly for information on patched versions.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules configured to block path traversal patterns in all request parameters
• Restrict PHP's open_basedir directive to limit file access to the WordPress installation directory only
• Disable the vulnerable theme and use an alternative theme until a security patch is released
• Implement server-level access controls to restrict access to sensitive files like wp-config.php

# Apache .htaccess configuration to block path traversal attempts
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f|\.\.%5c) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]

# PHP open_basedir restriction in php.ini or .user.ini
# open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress/