CVE-2025-67988: CozyStay Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-67988 Overview

CVE-2025-67988 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the LoftOcean CozyStay WordPress theme. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server. This can lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, and potentially remote code execution if combined with other attack vectors such as log poisoning.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, WordPress configuration files, and other critical system information.

Affected Products

• LoftOcean CozyStay WordPress Theme versions prior to 1.9.1
• WordPress installations running vulnerable CozyStay theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE CVE-2025-67988 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-67988

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-98: Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program. The CozyStay theme fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP include or require statements. When a web application dynamically constructs file paths for inclusion based on user input without adequate validation, attackers can manipulate the path to include unintended files from the local filesystem.

The network-accessible attack vector combined with the absence of authentication requirements means that any remote attacker can potentially exploit this vulnerability. While the attack complexity is considered high due to the specific conditions required for successful exploitation, the potential impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation within the CozyStay theme's PHP code. The theme accepts user-controlled input that is subsequently used in file inclusion operations without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as ../) or directly specify file paths to include files outside the intended directory scope.

PHP's include(), require(), include_once(), and require_once() functions are particularly dangerous when used with unsanitized user input, as they execute any PHP code contained within the included file.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication. An attacker can craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences or direct file paths to include sensitive local files. Common targets include:

• WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php) containing database credentials
• System files such as /etc/passwd on Linux systems
• PHP session files that may contain sensitive user data
• Server log files that could be poisoned with PHP code for remote code execution

The attack typically involves manipulating GET or POST parameters that control template or component loading within the theme. By injecting path traversal sequences, attackers can escape the intended directory and access files throughout the filesystem, limited only by the web server's file permissions.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-67988

Indicators of Compromise

• Web server access logs showing requests with directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/)
• Requests attempting to access sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or system log files
• Unusual file access patterns in PHP error logs indicating failed or successful file inclusions
• Requests containing null byte injection attempts (%00) to bypass extension checks

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal sequences in request parameters
• Monitor web server logs for anomalous requests containing ../ sequences or attempts to access sensitive system files
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress and system configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for PHP Local File Inclusion attacks

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the WordPress application and monitor for file inclusion errors
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive files outside the WordPress document root
• Monitor for unexpected PHP process behavior or elevated resource usage that could indicate exploitation
• Implement centralized log collection and analysis for correlation of attack patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-67988

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the CozyStay theme to version 1.9.1 or later immediately
• Audit web server access logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Review server file permissions to ensure the web server user has minimal necessary access
• Consider temporarily disabling the CozyStay theme if immediate patching is not possible

Patch Information

LoftOcean has addressed this vulnerability in CozyStay theme version 1.9.1. Users should update to this version or later through the WordPress admin dashboard or by manually downloading the updated theme from the vendor. For detailed information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the affected theme endpoints
• Restrict file system permissions for the web server user to limit accessible files
• Use PHP open_basedir directive to restrict file operations to the WordPress directory
• Deploy a security plugin that can detect and block LFI attack attempts

# PHP configuration example to restrict file inclusion paths
# Add to php.ini or .htaccess
open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress/

# Apache mod_rewrite rules to block common LFI patterns
# Add to .htaccess
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e/) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]