CVE-2025-69074: Pearson Specter Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69074 Overview

CVE-2025-69074 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the AncoraThemes Pearson Specter WordPress theme. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server. This type of vulnerability can lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, and potentially remote code execution when combined with other attack techniques.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive files from the WordPress installation, potentially exposing database credentials, configuration files, and other critical system information.

Affected Products

• AncoraThemes Pearson Specter WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.11.3

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-22 - CVE CVE-2025-69074 published to NVD
• 2026-01-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69074

Vulnerability Analysis

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

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials, authentication keys, and other security-critical information. Additionally, if an attacker can combine LFI with file upload functionality or log poisoning techniques, this could potentially escalate to remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation within the Pearson Specter theme's PHP code. When the theme processes user-controlled input to determine which files to include, it fails to properly sanitize directory traversal sequences (such as ../) or validate that the requested file is within an expected directory. This allows attackers to escape the intended directory context and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves crafting malicious requests that manipulate file path parameters accepted by the vulnerable theme component. An attacker would typically send HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences to navigate the filesystem and include sensitive files. The exploitation does not require authentication in typical LFI scenarios, making this vulnerability accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers.

Common targets for LFI attacks on WordPress installations include:

• /wp-config.php - Contains database credentials and security keys
• /etc/passwd - System user enumeration on Linux servers
• WordPress debug logs that may contain sensitive information
• PHP session files for potential session hijacking

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69074

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ....//) targeting theme files
• Web server access logs showing requests for sensitive file paths through the Pearson Specter theme
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP error logs referencing include/require failures
• Evidence of attempts to access /wp-config.php or system files through theme endpoints

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block directory traversal attempts
• Monitor web server access logs for path traversal patterns targeting the pearsonspecter theme directory
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on LFI attack signatures
• Review PHP error logs for include/require statement failures with suspicious file paths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on web servers to capture full request URIs and parameters
• Set up alerting for any requests containing ../ sequences targeting WordPress theme directories
• Monitor for unusual read access to sensitive configuration files
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69074

Immediate Actions Required

• Assess if the Pearson Specter theme is installed and identify the version in use on all WordPress installations
• Consider temporarily deactivating the Pearson Specter theme if a patched version is not available
• Implement WAF rules to block directory traversal attempts targeting the vulnerable theme
• Review web server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Organizations using the AncoraThemes Pearson Specter theme should check for updates from the vendor. According to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report, versions through 1.11.3 are affected. Contact AncoraThemes directly for information about patched versions or security updates.

Workarounds

• Deploy Web Application Firewall rules to filter requests containing directory traversal patterns
• Restrict filesystem permissions to limit PHP's ability to read sensitive files outside the WordPress directory
• Implement PHP open_basedir restrictions to confine file access to the WordPress installation directory
• Consider using a different WordPress theme until a patch is available
• Apply network-level access controls to limit exposure of the WordPress admin interface