CVE-2025-69109: Raider Spirit Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69109 Overview

CVE-2025-69109 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Raider Spirit WordPress theme in versions 1.1.2 and earlier. The flaw maps to CWE-98, improper control of filename for include/require statement in PHP programs. Remote attackers can exploit the issue over the network without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read sensitive files, execute arbitrary PHP code via included files, and compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress site.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can include arbitrary local files through the vulnerable Raider Spirit theme, enabling source code disclosure, credential theft from wp-config.php, and potential remote code execution.

Affected Products

Raider Spirit WordPress Theme versions <= 1.1.2
WordPress sites with the Raider Spirit theme installed and active
WordPress sites with the vulnerable theme files present, even when inactive

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69109 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69109

Vulnerability Analysis

The Raider Spirit theme contains a Local File Inclusion flaw classified under [CWE-98]. A theme component accepts attacker-controlled input and passes it to a PHP include, require, include_once, or require_once statement without proper validation or sanitization. Because the issue is reachable without authentication, any remote user can interact with the vulnerable endpoint over HTTP or HTTPS.

The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can disclose server-side source code, configuration files containing database credentials, and other sensitive data. Where the PHP interpreter can be coerced into executing included content, the issue can escalate to arbitrary code execution within the WordPress process context.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper validation of a filename parameter used in a PHP file inclusion statement within the Raider Spirit theme. User-supplied input flows into the inclusion call without normalization, allowlist checks, or path canonicalization. Directory traversal sequences and absolute paths are therefore honored by the underlying PHP runtime.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction. An attacker issues a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable theme endpoint, supplying a path parameter that references an arbitrary local file. Targets commonly include wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, PHP session files, and log files that can be poisoned to achieve code execution. See the PatchStack Vulnerability Report for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69109

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Raider Spirit theme files containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or encoded null bytes in query parameters.
Web server access logs showing requests referencing sensitive paths like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or /proc/self/environ.
Unexpected PHP errors in server logs referencing failed include or require operations against attacker-controlled paths.
Outbound connections or new administrative WordPress users created shortly after suspicious LFI request patterns.

Detection Strategies

Inspect WordPress and web server access logs for requests targeting theme files in wp-content/themes/raiderspirit/ with suspicious query string parameters.
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) ruleset that flags directory traversal patterns and inclusion of sensitive system paths.
Monitor PHP error logs for warnings such as failed to open stream referencing unexpected file paths.
Correlate file integrity monitoring alerts on wp-config.php, theme files, and uploaded media directories with web request telemetry.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward WordPress, PHP-FPM, and web server logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and analytics.
Alert on repeated 200-status responses to theme endpoints accompanied by traversal characters in parameters.
Track outbound network connections from the web server process to identify post-exploitation activity.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69109

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate and remove the Raider Spirit theme from any WordPress installation until a patched version is confirmed available.
Rotate all credentials stored in wp-config.php, including database passwords and authentication unique keys and salts.
Audit WordPress administrator accounts and remove any unrecognized users created during the suspected exploitation window.
Restrict access to the WordPress site behind a WAF with rules blocking directory traversal payloads in theme parameters.

Patch Information

No patched version has been documented in the available references at the time of publication. Monitor the PatchStack Vulnerability Report for vendor updates and apply the fixed release as soon as it becomes available.

Workarounds

Remove the Raider Spirit theme directory from wp-content/themes/ if a patched version is not yet available.
Configure the web server to deny direct HTTP access to theme PHP files that accept file path parameters.
Enable PHP open_basedir restrictions to limit which directories the interpreter can read or include.
Apply WAF virtual patching rules that block traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %252e%252e%252f) in query parameters and POST bodies.

bash

# Configuration example: restrict PHP file inclusion scope via php.ini
open_basedir = "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off

# Nginx rule to block direct access to vulnerable theme PHP files
location ~* /wp-content/themes/raiderspirit/.*\.php$ {
    deny all;
    return 403;
}