CVE-2025-49454: TinySalt Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49454 Overview

CVE-2025-49454 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the TinySalt WordPress theme developed by LoftOcean. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server filesystem. This can lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, and potentially remote code execution through log poisoning or other advanced techniques.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to read sensitive files from WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of TinySalt, potentially exposing database credentials, API keys, and other critical configuration data.

Affected Products

• LoftOcean TinySalt WordPress Theme versions prior to 3.10.0
• WordPress installations using vulnerable TinySalt theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-10 - CVE-2025-49454 published to NVD
• 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49454

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The TinySalt WordPress theme fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before passing it to PHP's include() or require() functions. While the CVE description references PHP Remote File Inclusion, the exploitable condition is specifically Local File Inclusion, meaning attackers can traverse the filesystem and include local files rather than remote resources.

The network-accessible attack vector combined with no required authentication makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for public-facing WordPress sites. Although exploitation requires some complexity (such as identifying vulnerable endpoints and crafting appropriate traversal payloads), successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-controllable parameters that influence file inclusion paths. The TinySalt theme accepts input that can manipulate the filename passed to PHP include statements without properly restricting the path to expected directories or validating against directory traversal sequences like ../.

Attack Vector

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. The attack involves crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences to escape the intended file path and access sensitive files on the server. Common targets include:

• WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php) containing database credentials
• System files like /etc/passwd for user enumeration
• Application log files that may contain sensitive data or enable log poisoning attacks

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating URL parameters or form inputs that the TinySalt theme uses to dynamically include PHP files. By injecting path traversal sequences, an attacker can force the application to include files outside the intended directory structure.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49454

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ..%252f) targeting theme endpoints
• Access log entries showing attempts to read system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
• Web server error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or path-related warnings
• Unexpected access patterns to TinySalt theme files with encoded or malformed parameters

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Monitor web server access logs for suspicious requests containing directory traversal sequences
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems with signatures for PHP LFI attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for PHP errors and file access operations
• Configure alerts for access attempts to sensitive files outside the webroot
• Monitor for unusual file read operations in WordPress plugin and theme directories
• Review access logs regularly for reconnaissance activity targeting WordPress installations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49454

Immediate Actions Required

• Update TinySalt theme to version 3.10.0 or later immediately
• Audit WordPress installations to identify all instances using vulnerable TinySalt versions
• Review web server logs for any evidence of exploitation attempts
• Consider temporarily disabling the TinySalt theme until patching is complete

Patch Information

LoftOcean has addressed this vulnerability in TinySalt version 3.10.0. Users should update through the WordPress dashboard or download the patched version directly from the theme vendor. For detailed vulnerability information and patch verification, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database.

Workarounds

• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the TinySalt theme
• Restrict file system permissions to limit PHP's ability to read files outside the WordPress directory
• Use open_basedir PHP configuration to restrict file operations to the WordPress installation directory
• Apply network-level access controls to limit exposure of WordPress admin and theme files

# PHP configuration hardening example
# Add to php.ini or .htaccess to restrict file access
php_value open_basedir /var/www/html/wordpress/

# Apache mod_rewrite rules to block path traversal attempts
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]