CVE-2025-67980: Hara Theme PHP File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2025-67980 Overview

CVE-2025-67980 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the thembay Hara WordPress theme through version 1.2.17. The flaw stems from improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements, classified under [CWE-98]. Attackers can manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local PHP files, leading to information disclosure or remote code execution under certain server configurations. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, although the attack complexity is high.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to include arbitrary local files, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data and enabling code execution on the WordPress host.

Affected Products

• thembay Hara WordPress Theme versions through 1.2.17
• WordPress sites running vulnerable Hara theme builds
• Web servers hosting the affected theme files

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE CVE-2025-67980 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-67980

Vulnerability Analysis

The Hara theme accepts user-controllable input that flows into a PHP include or require statement without sufficient sanitization. This allows an attacker to influence which file the PHP interpreter loads at runtime. When the theme processes a crafted request, the included file is executed within the WordPress application context, granting the attacker the same privileges as the web server process.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities of this class often enable reading of sensitive files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication keys. If an attacker can place attacker-controlled content on the server through other means, such as uploaded media or log poisoning, LFI can be escalated to remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of filename parameters passed to PHP file inclusion functions, mapped to [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The theme does not constrain the included path to a whitelist of allowed templates or sanitize traversal sequences before passing the value to the inclusion statement.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploited remotely over HTTP by sending a crafted request to a vulnerable theme endpoint. The attacker supplies a manipulated parameter referencing a local file path. The PHP runtime then loads and executes the referenced file. No authentication or user interaction is required, but the attacker must satisfy specific conditions in the server environment, which raises attack complexity.

Detailed technical analysis is available in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-67980

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected HTTP requests to Hara theme PHP files containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or absolute file paths in query parameters
• Web server access logs showing parameter values referencing sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files
• Outbound network connections or file modifications originating from the PHP-FPM or web server process after suspicious requests

Detection Strategies

• Inspect WordPress access logs for query strings containing encoded traversal patterns (%2e%2e%2f, ..%2f) targeting theme endpoints
• Deploy a web application firewall rule to flag inclusion of non-template file extensions in theme parameters
• Correlate file read events on wp-config.php or other sensitive files with concurrent HTTP requests to Hara theme paths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable PHP open_basedir logging and monitor for blocked file access attempts originating from theme directories
• Forward WordPress, PHP, and web server logs to a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation
• Track integrity of theme files and WordPress configuration to detect post-exploitation persistence

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-67980

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all WordPress installations using the Hara theme version 1.2.17 or earlier and prioritize them for remediation
• Restrict access to vulnerable theme endpoints at the web application firewall or reverse proxy layer until patched
• Rotate WordPress secrets, database credentials, and API keys if log review indicates successful exploitation

Patch Information

No fixed version is documented in the available advisory data. Site operators should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates from the vendor and apply the security release for the Hara theme when available.

Workarounds

• Disable or replace the Hara theme until a fixed version is published
• Configure PHP open_basedir and disable_functions to restrict file inclusion to required directories
• Apply virtual patching through a WAF to block traversal sequences and unauthorized file paths in requests to theme endpoints

# Example PHP hardening in php.ini to limit file inclusion scope
open_basedir = "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off