CVE-2025-69090: Remons WordPress Theme LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69090 Overview

CVE-2025-69090 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Remons WordPress theme developed by ovatheme. The vulnerability stems from Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program (CWE-98), which allows attackers to include local files from the server through manipulation of PHP include or require statements.

This vulnerability enables attackers to read sensitive files from the web server, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, and other critical data. In certain configurations, LFI vulnerabilities can be escalated to achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE) through techniques such as log poisoning or PHP filter chains.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read arbitrary files from the server, potentially accessing sensitive configuration data, database credentials, or leveraging the flaw for further system compromise.

Affected Products

• ovatheme Remons WordPress Theme version 1.3.4 and earlier
• WordPress installations using the Remons theme

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-05 - CVE-2025-69090 published to NVD
• 2026-03-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69090

Vulnerability Analysis

This Local File Inclusion vulnerability occurs due to improper validation of user-supplied input within PHP include or require statements. The Remons WordPress theme fails to adequately sanitize file path parameters before including them in PHP file operations, allowing attackers to traverse the directory structure and include arbitrary local files.

LFI vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in PHP applications because they can expose sensitive server files such as /etc/passwd, WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php), or PHP session files. When combined with other attack vectors, LFI can potentially lead to full server compromise.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The theme does not properly validate or sanitize user-controlled input that is subsequently used in file inclusion operations. This allows path traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

The attack leverages the theme's improper handling of file path parameters in PHP include mechanisms. An attacker can craft malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences to navigate outside the web root and include sensitive system or application files.

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating file path parameters sent to the vulnerable theme component. Successful exploitation requires network access to the WordPress installation running the vulnerable Remons theme.

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69090

Indicators of Compromise

• Web server access logs containing path traversal patterns (e.g., ../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting theme-related endpoints
• Suspicious GET or POST requests to Remons theme files with file path parameters
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP error logs indicating failed or successful file inclusions
• Evidence of sensitive file contents in web application responses

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts
• Monitor web server logs for requests containing directory traversal sequences targeting the Remons theme
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Utilize SentinelOne Singularity to detect anomalous PHP process behavior and file access patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for WordPress and PHP to capture file inclusion operations
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive files such as wp-config.php and /etc/passwd
• Monitor for unusual outbound data transfers that could indicate data exfiltration following successful exploitation
• Implement real-time log analysis to identify path traversal attack patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69090

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Remons WordPress theme to a patched version when available from ovatheme
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or removing the Remons theme
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal patterns targeting WordPress theme endpoints
• Review web server access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

The vulnerability affects Remons theme versions through 1.3.4. Users should monitor the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for updates regarding available patches.

Contact ovatheme directly to inquire about patched versions or security updates for the Remons theme. Until a patch is available, implement the workarounds listed below.

Workarounds

• Implement server-side input validation to block path traversal sequences in file parameters
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests targeting known LFI patterns
• Restrict PHP open_basedir directive to limit file access to the WordPress directory
• Consider switching to an alternative WordPress theme until the vulnerability is patched

# Example Apache mod_rewrite rule to block path traversal attempts
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f|\.\.%5c) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]