CVE-2025-69038: Hyori Theme File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69038 Overview

CVE-2025-69038 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability affecting the Hyori WordPress theme developed by goalthemes. This Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate PHP include statements to access arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or remote code execution through log poisoning techniques.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access database credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution through chained attack techniques.

Affected Products

• Hyori WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.3.6
• WordPress installations running vulnerable Hyori theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-22 - CVE CVE-2025-69038 published to NVD
• 2026-01-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69038

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-controlled input in PHP include or require statements within the Hyori WordPress theme. The theme fails to properly validate and sanitize filename parameters before passing them to PHP's file inclusion functions, allowing attackers to manipulate the included file path.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials, authentication keys, and other sensitive configuration data. Additionally, attackers may be able to leverage LFI to achieve remote code execution through techniques such as log poisoning or PHP session file injection.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The Hyori theme does not implement sufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input before using it in file inclusion operations. This allows directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to be injected, enabling access to files outside the intended directory scope.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests that manipulate the filename parameter used in PHP include statements. By injecting path traversal sequences, the attacker can navigate the file system and include arbitrary local files. The attack typically requires no authentication and can be executed remotely through HTTP requests to the vulnerable WordPress installation.

Common exploitation scenarios include:

• Reading sensitive configuration files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
• Accessing log files for potential log poisoning attacks
• Including PHP session files to inject malicious code
• Exposing backup files or other sensitive data stored on the server

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69038

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) in URL parameters
• Access log entries showing requests targeting theme files with suspicious file path parameters
• Unexpected file access patterns in web server logs, particularly requests for system files or configuration files
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or access denied errors for sensitive paths

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in requests
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing directory traversal sequences targeting the Hyori theme
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical configuration files to detect unauthorized access attempts
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on LFI attack signatures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for PHP file inclusion operations and monitor for anomalous patterns
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive files such as wp-config.php from web-accessible paths
• Regularly audit web server logs for suspicious request patterns targeting WordPress theme endpoints
• Monitor for unusual outbound connections that may indicate successful exploitation and data exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69038

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Hyori theme if it is not essential to site functionality
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting WordPress themes
• Restrict file system permissions to limit access to sensitive configuration files
• Review access logs to identify any potential exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Users should check with goalthemes for an updated version of the Hyori theme that addresses this vulnerability. Monitor the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database for patch availability and additional remediation guidance.

Until an official patch is available, consider switching to an alternative WordPress theme that does not contain this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Implement strict input validation on all user-supplied parameters at the application level
• Use PHP's basename() function to strip directory traversal sequences from file paths
• Configure open_basedir in PHP to restrict file access to the WordPress installation directory
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules specifically targeting LFI attack patterns
• Consider using WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities

# Example PHP configuration hardening for open_basedir
# Add to php.ini or .htaccess to restrict file access scope
php_admin_value open_basedir "/var/www/html/wordpress:/tmp"

# Example .htaccess rule to block common LFI patterns
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|proc/self) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>