CVE-2025-67992: PatioTime Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-67992 Overview

CVE-2025-67992 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the LoftOcean PatioTime WordPress theme. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, allowing attackers to include local files that should not be accessible. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, potential code execution, and complete compromise of the affected WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers may exploit 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-to-RCE techniques.

Affected Products

• LoftOcean PatioTime WordPress Theme versions prior to 2.1
• WordPress installations using vulnerable PatioTime theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE CVE-2025-67992 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-67992

Vulnerability Analysis

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

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes are particularly dangerous because WordPress installations typically store sensitive configuration data in wp-config.php, which contains database credentials, authentication keys, and salts. Additionally, attackers may chain LFI with other techniques such as log poisoning, where malicious PHP code is injected into server logs and then included via the LFI vulnerability to achieve code execution.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability combined with the absence of authentication requirements means that any attacker who can reach the vulnerable WordPress installation can attempt exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-67992 lies in insufficient input validation within the PatioTime theme's PHP code. When the theme processes user-controllable parameters that are subsequently used in file inclusion operations (include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once()), it fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs against directory traversal sequences and other malicious patterns.

The theme does not implement proper allowlisting of permitted files or directories, nor does it adequately filter path traversal sequences such as ../ that allow attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure to access sensitive system files.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network without requiring authentication. An attacker crafts malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences or manipulated file path parameters targeting the vulnerable include/require functionality in the PatioTime theme.

Typical exploitation involves sending requests with payloads designed to traverse directories and include sensitive files. Common targets include /etc/passwd for reconnaissance, wp-config.php for database credentials, or server log files for potential code execution via log poisoning techniques.

The vulnerability requires precise manipulation of parameters and some complexity in crafting successful exploit payloads, which accounts for the high attack complexity rating. However, successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-67992

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, ..%252f) targeting theme-related endpoints
• Access log entries showing attempts to include system files such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or log files
• Unusual file access patterns originating from the web server process
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts from unexpected paths

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block directory traversal patterns in request parameters
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on path traversal sequences in HTTP traffic targeting WordPress installations
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing common LFI payload patterns such as ....//, ..%00, or null byte sequences
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on sensitive configuration files to detect unauthorized access attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed access logging on WordPress installations to capture full request URIs and parameters
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate multiple failed file inclusion attempts from single source IPs
• Monitor for anomalous file read operations by the web server user targeting files outside the WordPress directory
• Implement alerting for any access attempts to wp-config.php outside normal WordPress operations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-67992

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the PatioTime WordPress theme to version 2.1 or later immediately
• Audit WordPress installations to identify all instances using vulnerable PatioTime theme versions
• Review web server logs for indicators of exploitation attempts
• Consider temporarily disabling the PatioTime theme until patching is complete if immediate updates are not possible

Patch Information

LoftOcean has addressed this vulnerability in PatioTime theme version 2.1. Administrators should update through the WordPress admin dashboard or download the patched version directly from the theme vendor. For detailed vulnerability information and patch verification, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database.

After applying the patch, verify the update was successful by confirming the theme version in the WordPress admin panel under Appearance > Themes.

Workarounds

• Implement server-level restrictions using open_basedir PHP directive to limit file system access to the WordPress directory
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules blocking directory traversal patterns in request parameters
• Restrict access to WordPress admin areas and theme files using IP-based access controls where feasible
• Consider using security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities while awaiting official theme updates

# Example Apache configuration to block common LFI patterns
# Add to .htaccess or Apache configuration
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|wp-config\.php) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>