CVE-2025-49367: Monyxi Theme File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49367 Overview

CVE-2025-49367 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Monyxi WordPress theme developed by AncoraThemes. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, and potentially escalate to remote code execution through log poisoning or other LFI-to-RCE techniques.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, WordPress configuration secrets, and other critical system information that could lead to complete site compromise.

Affected Products

• AncoraThemes Monyxi WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.1.8
• WordPress installations using vulnerable Monyxi theme versions
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-12-18 - CVE-2025-49367 published to NVD
• 2026-01-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49367

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The Monyxi theme fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP file inclusion operations. This allows an attacker to manipulate the filename parameter to traverse directories and include arbitrary files from the local file system.

The attack can be conducted remotely over the network, though exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, making it high complexity. No authentication or user interaction is required for exploitation. If successfully exploited, attackers can achieve high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation within the Monyxi theme's PHP code. When the theme processes user-controlled input for file inclusion operations, it fails to implement proper sanitization measures such as:

• Whitelist validation of allowed file paths
• Removal or encoding of directory traversal sequences (../)
• Restriction of file extensions to prevent inclusion of sensitive files
• Proper use of PHP's basename() function to strip directory components

This oversight allows attackers to inject path traversal sequences that escape the intended directory context and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploited through network-based requests to the affected WordPress installation. An attacker crafts malicious HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences (such as ../../../etc/passwd) in parameters that are subsequently used in PHP include or require statements.

Successful exploitation typically involves:

1. Identifying the vulnerable endpoint in the Monyxi theme
2. Crafting requests with path traversal sequences to navigate the filesystem
3. Including sensitive files such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or application logs
4. Potentially escalating to code execution through log file poisoning or PHP session file inclusion

The vulnerability allows reading of any file accessible to the web server process, potentially including WordPress configuration files containing database credentials and authentication secrets.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49367

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting the Monyxi theme
• Access logs showing requests for system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php through theme endpoints
• Unusual read access patterns to sensitive configuration files
• Evidence of log file poisoning attempts with PHP code injection

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in requests
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing ../ sequences or encoded variants targeting theme files
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical configuration files including wp-config.php
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on LFI attack signatures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the WordPress installation and monitor for anomalous file access patterns
• Set up alerts for any access attempts to sensitive system files through web requests
• Review web server error logs for failed file inclusion attempts that may indicate reconnaissance
• Monitor outbound connections from the web server that could indicate successful compromise and data exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49367

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Monyxi WordPress theme to a patched version if available from AncoraThemes
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Monyxi theme
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attack patterns
• Review web server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Audit file permissions to minimize the web server's access to sensitive files

Patch Information

Organizations should check the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database for the latest patch status and remediation guidance from the vendor. Contact AncoraThemes directly for updated theme versions that address this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Implement strict WAF rules to filter path traversal sequences in all HTTP parameters
• Use PHP's open_basedir directive to restrict file access to the WordPress installation directory
• Apply principle of least privilege to web server file permissions, removing read access to sensitive files
• Consider using a virtual patching solution to protect against the vulnerability until an official patch is available
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity to detect and prevent exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis

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

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