CVE-2025-69106: Imba Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69106 Overview

CVE-2025-69106 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Imba WordPress theme versions 1.5.0 and earlier. The flaw allows remote attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server without authentication. Exploitation can expose sensitive configuration data, credentials, and server-side source code. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

The issue was disclosed through the Patchstack WordPress vulnerability database. WordPress sites running the affected Imba theme are at risk until the theme is updated or removed.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary files on the server and may achieve remote code execution by including attacker-controlled content through PHP include statements.

Affected Products

Imba WordPress theme versions ≤ 1.5.0
WordPress sites with the Imba theme installed and active
Hosting environments serving the vulnerable theme files

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69106 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69106

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a PHP Remote File Inclusion weakness mapped to [CWE-98]. The Imba theme passes externally controlled input into a PHP include or require statement without proper validation or allow-list filtering. An unauthenticated attacker can supply a crafted file path parameter through an HTTP request and force the theme to load arbitrary local files.

Because inclusion occurs through PHP, included files are executed in the WordPress process context. This permits disclosure of configuration files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication secrets. Successful exploitation undermines confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the WordPress installation.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing sanitization of a user-controlled parameter that resolves to a filesystem path passed to a PHP file inclusion function. The theme does not enforce a strict allow-list of permitted files and does not normalize path traversal sequences such as ../. Network attackers can therefore traverse directories and target arbitrary files readable by the web server user.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable Imba theme endpoint, supplying a path parameter pointing to a target file. The server includes the file and either renders its contents or executes embedded PHP. When combined with log poisoning, session file injection, or writable upload directories, the LFI can be escalated to remote code execution.

No verified public exploit code is currently available. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69106

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Imba theme files containing path traversal sequences such as ../../, encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f, or null-byte injections
Access log entries referencing sensitive paths including wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or /proc/self/environ
Outbound PHP errors or warnings referencing include(), require(), or failed to open stream originating from theme files

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for suspicious query parameters targeting Imba theme PHP files
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that block path traversal patterns and known LFI payloads against WordPress theme endpoints
Monitor PHP error logs for inclusion failures referencing user-supplied paths

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on reads of sensitive WordPress files such as wp-config.php from the web process where not expected
Track unusual outbound connections from the web server that could indicate post-LFI command execution
Establish a baseline of normal request parameters for the Imba theme and flag deviations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69106

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running the Imba theme at versions 1.5.0 or earlier
Disable or remove the Imba theme on affected installations until a patched release is confirmed
Rotate WordPress database credentials, authentication keys, and salts if the theme has been exposed to the internet
Review web server access logs for prior exploitation attempts

Patch Information

At the time of disclosure, the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report lists the vulnerability as affecting Imba ≤ 1.5.0. Administrators should monitor the theme vendor for a fixed release and apply updates immediately upon availability. If a patch is not yet released, switching to an alternative theme is recommended.

Workarounds

Apply WAF or virtual patching rules that block path traversal sequences and direct requests to Imba theme PHP files
Restrict file system permissions so the web server user cannot read sensitive files outside the WordPress webroot
Disable PHP functions and allow_url_include in php.ini to reduce escalation paths from LFI to RCE

bash

# Example hardening in php.ini
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = /var/www/html:/tmp