CVE-2025-69113: Nexio Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69113 Overview

CVE-2025-69113 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Nexio WordPress theme, affecting versions up to and including 1.10.0. The flaw is classified under [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). Remote attackers can include arbitrary local files on the server without authentication, leading to disclosure of sensitive configuration data and potential code execution paths. The vulnerability was disclosed through Patchstack's WordPress vulnerability database.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read sensitive server-side files, including wp-config.php, and may chain the flaw with log poisoning or upload primitives to achieve remote code execution.

Affected Products

Nexio WordPress theme versions <= 1.10.0
WordPress installations running the vulnerable Nexio theme
Any environment exposing the theme's vulnerable include endpoint to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69113 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69113

Vulnerability Analysis

The Nexio theme contains an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion vulnerability that allows attackers to traverse the server file system and include arbitrary files via the PHP include or require chain. The flaw maps to [CWE-98], which covers improper control of filename arguments passed to PHP file inclusion functions. Because no authentication is required, any internet-facing WordPress site running Nexio <= 1.10.0 is reachable by remote attackers.

Successful exploitation exposes the full confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the WordPress installation. Attackers can read database credentials from wp-config.php, dump session data, and stage further attacks against the underlying host. The EPSS data indicates a low near-term exploitation probability, but mass scanning for vulnerable WordPress themes routinely follows public disclosure.

Root Cause

The root cause is the use of attacker-controlled input as a filename argument to PHP file inclusion functions such as include, include_once, require, or require_once without proper validation or allow-listing. The theme accepts a path parameter from the HTTP request and passes it directly into the inclusion call. The absence of sanitization permits directory traversal sequences and absolute paths.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network against a vulnerable WordPress site. An unauthenticated attacker crafts an HTTP request to the vulnerable Nexio endpoint and supplies a traversal payload, such as ../../../../wp-config.php or /etc/passwd, in the affected parameter. The server resolves the path and includes the target file, returning its contents or executing it as PHP. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for the specific parameter and endpoint details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69113

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Nexio theme endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or %2e%2e%2f
Web server access logs showing requests referencing sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or /proc/self/environ
Unusual outbound connections from the WordPress host immediately after suspicious inclusion requests
New or modified PHP files in wp-content/uploads/ following targeted requests to Nexio theme files

Detection Strategies

Inspect web access logs for requests targeting /wp-content/themes/nexio/ paths combined with traversal patterns or PHP wrappers like php://filter
Deploy WAF rules that block file inclusion payloads and known LFI bypass encodings against WordPress theme endpoints
Monitor PHP error logs for failed to open stream and include() warnings referencing unexpected file paths

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable file integrity monitoring on wp-config.php and other sensitive WordPress configuration files
Forward web server, PHP-FPM, and application logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
Alert on outbound network connections from PHP worker processes that deviate from baseline behavior

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69113

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Nexio theme to a version newer than 1.10.0 once the vendor releases a fixed release
Restrict access to the WordPress site behind a Web Application Firewall configured to block LFI patterns
Audit wp-config.php and rotate database credentials and authentication keys if exposure is suspected
Review web server logs for the past 90 days for traversal patterns targeting Nexio theme endpoints

Patch Information

Consult the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for the latest patch availability and remediation guidance from the theme author. Until a vendor-supplied patch is installed, treat all Nexio <= 1.10.0 deployments as exposed.

Workarounds

Disable or remove the Nexio theme if a patched version is not yet available
Configure PHP open_basedir to constrain file access to the WordPress document root
Set allow_url_include = Off and allow_url_fopen = Off in php.ini to limit inclusion abuse
Deploy ModSecurity or equivalent WAF rules to block traversal sequences targeting theme files

bash

# Configuration example - php.ini hardening to reduce LFI impact
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"
disable_functions = "exec,passthru,shell_exec,system,proc_open,popen"