CVE-2025-52807: Kossy WordPress Theme LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-52807 Overview

CVE-2025-52807 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Kossy - Minimalist eCommerce WordPress Theme developed by ApusWP. 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 vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), which describes conditions where user-controllable input is used to construct file paths for PHP inclusion without proper validation or sanitization.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access database credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other LFI exploitation techniques on WordPress installations using the Kossy theme.

Affected Products

• Kossy - Minimalist eCommerce WordPress Theme versions through 1.45
• WordPress installations utilizing the Kossy theme
• ApusWP Kossy Theme (all versions from initial release through version 1.45)

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-07-04 - CVE-2025-52807 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-52807

Vulnerability Analysis

This Local File Inclusion vulnerability exists within the Kossy WordPress theme due to insufficient input validation on user-supplied parameters that are subsequently used in PHP file inclusion functions such as include(), include_once(), require(), or require_once().

The vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem. In the context of WordPress themes, this type of vulnerability typically manifests in template loading mechanisms, AJAX handlers, or dynamic content rendering functions where file paths are constructed using user input.

The classification as CWE-98 indicates that the theme fails to properly sanitize or validate input used in file inclusion operations, enabling path traversal sequences or direct file path specifications that can access files outside the intended directory scope.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of user-controlled input when constructing file paths for PHP inclusion statements. The Kossy theme does not implement adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms to restrict file inclusion to authorized directories only.

Specifically, the vulnerability likely occurs where:

• User input is directly concatenated into file paths without validation
• Directory traversal sequences (such as ../) are not filtered
• No allowlist enforcement exists for permitted files or directories
• PHP's open_basedir restrictions may not be properly configured or relied upon

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this LFI vulnerability involves manipulating HTTP request parameters to inject path traversal sequences or absolute file paths. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to:

1. Read sensitive files: Access /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or other configuration files containing credentials
2. Access log files: Read web server logs which may contain injected PHP code for execution
3. Retrieve WordPress configuration: Extract database credentials and authentication keys from wp-config.php
4. Potentially achieve code execution: Through log poisoning or inclusion of uploaded files with malicious PHP content

The exploitation does not require authentication by default for theme-related AJAX endpoints or template rendering functions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for public-facing WordPress installations.

For detailed technical information about the exploitation mechanism, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-52807

Indicators of Compromise

• Web server access logs containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or ....// in request parameters targeting theme files
• Requests attempting to access files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or /var/log/ through theme endpoints
• Unusual file access patterns in PHP error logs indicating attempts to include non-existent or restricted files
• Server-side errors related to failed file inclusions or open_basedir restriction violations

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests
• Monitor WordPress theme-related HTTP requests for suspicious file path parameters containing directory traversal sequences
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration files
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral detection capabilities to identify anomalous PHP process behavior indicative of LFI exploitation
• Enable verbose PHP error logging and monitor for include/require failures on unexpected file paths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerting on web server logs for requests containing common LFI payloads targeting the Kossy theme directory structure
• Monitor for unusual outbound data exfiltration that may indicate successful extraction of sensitive configuration files
• Track file access patterns on critical WordPress files including wp-config.php and plugin/theme configuration files
• Implement real-time monitoring of PHP processes for unexpected file system access patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-52807

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Kossy theme if currently installed on production WordPress sites until a patched version is available
• Switch to a secure alternative WordPress theme from a trusted source
• Review web server access logs for any indicators of exploitation attempts
• Audit WordPress configuration files to ensure no unauthorized access has occurred
• Implement additional server-level protections such as restricting open_basedir to the WordPress installation directory

Patch Information

At the time of this advisory, users should consult the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest patch status and remediation guidance from ApusWP. Users are advised to update to a version higher than 1.45 once a security patch is released by the vendor.

Workarounds

• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal sequences targeting the Kossy theme directory
• Restrict PHP's open_basedir directive to limit file inclusion to the WordPress installation directory only
• Disable or restrict access to AJAX endpoints and template loading functions exposed by the Kossy theme
• Apply server-level access controls to prevent direct access to sensitive theme files
• Consider using a security plugin that provides virtual patching capabilities for known WordPress vulnerabilities

# Configuration example - Apache .htaccess rules to block common LFI patterns
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    # Block path traversal attempts in query strings
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f|\.\.%5c) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>

# PHP configuration - Restrict open_basedir (add to php.ini or .htaccess)
# php_admin_value open_basedir /var/www/html/wordpress/