CVE-2025-54716: Ireca Theme File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2025-54716 Overview

CVE-2025-54716 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Ovatheme Ireca WordPress theme through version 1.8.5. The flaw stems from improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements [CWE-98]. Attackers can manipulate file path parameters to load arbitrary local PHP files on the web server. Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive configuration data, execution of attacker-controlled PHP, and full compromise of the WordPress site. The vulnerability is network-reachable and requires no authentication, though exploitation complexity is rated high.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can include arbitrary local PHP files, leading to information disclosure and potential remote code execution on affected WordPress installations.

Affected Products

• Ovatheme Ireca WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.8.5
• WordPress sites using the Ireca theme for booking and reservation functionality
• Hosting environments running vulnerable Ireca theme installations

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-08-28 - CVE-2025-54716 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54716

Vulnerability Analysis

The Ireca theme contains a PHP file inclusion flaw where user-supplied input reaches an include or require statement without proper sanitization. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-98], covering improper control of filenames in PHP include statements. While the original CWE designation references Remote File Inclusion, the practical impact in this case is Local File Inclusion. Attackers can traverse the filesystem and force the PHP interpreter to execute arbitrary local files. Any PHP file on the server, including configuration files such as wp-config.php, becomes a potential target for disclosure or execution.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of an allowlist or sanitization routine on a parameter passed to a PHP file inclusion function. The theme accepts a filename-like input from an HTTP request and concatenates it directly into an include call. This pattern violates secure coding practices that require strict validation of any input controlling file paths.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction. An attacker crafts a request to a vulnerable Ireca endpoint and supplies a path parameter referencing a target PHP file on the server. The server then includes and executes that file in the context of the WordPress process. Attackers can chain this with log poisoning, session file inclusion, or PHP wrapper abuse to achieve remote code execution.

No public proof-of-concept exploit code is currently available. See the Patchstack Ireca Theme Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54716

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to Ireca theme endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or absolute paths to system files
• Web server access logs showing parameters referencing wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP wrapper schemes like php://filter
• Unexpected PHP errors or warnings related to include() or require() calls in the theme directory
• New or modified PHP files within the WordPress installation that were not deployed through normal update channels

Detection Strategies

• Inspect web access logs for query strings targeting Ireca theme files combined with suspicious path components
• Deploy web application firewall rules that flag file inclusion patterns and PHP stream wrappers in request parameters
• Monitor PHP error logs for inclusion failures referencing paths outside the theme directory
• Use file integrity monitoring on the WordPress installation to identify unauthorized changes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Correlate HTTP request anomalies with subsequent PHP process behavior such as outbound connections or shell spawns
• Alert on read access to sensitive files like wp-config.php by the web server user outside of normal operations
• Track failed and successful authentication events following suspicious HTTP activity against the theme

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54716

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all WordPress sites running the Ovatheme Ireca theme and confirm installed version against 1.8.5
• Update the Ireca theme to a version newer than 1.8.5 as soon as the vendor releases a patched release
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin area and theme endpoints via IP allowlisting where feasible
• Review web server and PHP logs for prior exploitation attempts referencing local file paths

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Ireca Theme Vulnerability advisory for vendor patch status. Administrators should upgrade to any release later than 1.8.5 published by Ovatheme that addresses this issue.

Workarounds

• Deploy a web application firewall with rules blocking path traversal and PHP wrapper payloads targeting theme endpoints
• Set the PHP directive open_basedir to restrict file inclusion to the WordPress installation directory
• Disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen in php.ini to prevent remote inclusion variants
• Temporarily switch to an alternative theme if patching is not immediately possible

# Configuration example: harden php.ini against file inclusion abuse
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"