CVE-2025-58913: VideoPro Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-58913 Overview

CVE-2025-58913 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the CactusThemes VideoPro WordPress theme. 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. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files, credential exposure, and potential code execution through log poisoning or other advanced techniques.

Critical Impact

Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could read sensitive server files including wp-config.php, access database credentials, and potentially achieve remote code execution through chained attacks.

Affected Products

• CactusThemes VideoPro WordPress Theme versions through 2.3.8.1
• WordPress installations running vulnerable VideoPro theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-10 - CVE-2025-58913 published to NVD
• 2026-04-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-58913

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The VideoPro theme fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input before using it in PHP include() or require() statements. This allows an attacker to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local files from the server filesystem.

While the vulnerability is categorized as Remote File Inclusion in the CWE title, the actual exploitation vector enables Local File Inclusion. This is a common PHP security issue where user input flows directly into file inclusion functions without adequate validation or path restrictions.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in the VideoPro theme's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization on user-supplied filename parameters. The theme does not restrict file paths to an allowlist of permitted files, nor does it properly sanitize path traversal sequences such as ../ that could allow directory traversal. Additionally, the theme fails to validate file extensions or restrict inclusion to specific directories.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-accessible, meaning remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without authentication. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences to include sensitive local files from the WordPress installation or the underlying server filesystem.

Common attack scenarios include reading the WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php) to obtain database credentials, accessing server configuration files like /etc/passwd, and in advanced scenarios, achieving code execution through log poisoning techniques where malicious PHP code is injected into log files and subsequently included.

For technical details regarding this vulnerability, see the Patchstack Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58913

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting VideoPro theme endpoints
• Web server access logs showing attempts to access sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or log files
• Unusual file access patterns in PHP error logs indicating failed include attempts
• Evidence of log file access followed by PHP code execution

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for path traversal and LFI attack patterns
• Implement file integrity monitoring for WordPress configuration files
• Enable verbose PHP error logging and review for failed include operations
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity Platform to detect anomalous file access patterns and suspicious PHP execution

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerts for HTTP requests containing encoded path traversal sequences
• Monitor for unusual access to theme files outside normal operation
• Track file read operations on sensitive system and WordPress configuration files
• Review web server access logs for repeated probing attempts against the VideoPro theme

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58913

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the CactusThemes VideoPro theme to a patched version if available
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the VideoPro theme
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block path traversal attempts
• Restrict PHP's open_basedir directive to limit file system access

Patch Information

Review the Patchstack Security Advisory for the latest patch information and remediation guidance from the vendor. Ensure you are running a version newer than 2.3.8.1 once a patched release becomes available.

Workarounds

• Configure PHP open_basedir to restrict file access to the WordPress installation directory
• Implement server-level access controls to protect sensitive configuration files
• Deploy a WAF with rules specifically targeting LFI and path traversal attacks
• Disable unused theme components that may contain the vulnerable code path

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

# Example mod_security rule to block path traversal
SecRule REQUEST_URI "\.\./" "id:1000,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt'"