CVE-2025-69117: Ingenioso Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69117 Overview

CVE-2025-69117 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Ingenioso WordPress theme in versions 1.14.0 and earlier. The flaw is classified under [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). Remote attackers can manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local files without authentication. Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive configuration data, source code, or execution of attacker-controlled PHP if uploaded files are reachable on the host.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can include arbitrary local files on the server, potentially exposing credentials in wp-config.php and enabling further compromise of the WordPress installation.

Affected Products

Ingenioso WordPress theme versions <= 1.14.0
WordPress sites running the vulnerable theme as the active or installed theme
Any hosting environment serving the affected theme files

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69117 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69117

Vulnerability Analysis

The Ingenioso theme contains a Local File Inclusion weakness in a PHP include, require, or equivalent file-loading statement. The vulnerable code path accepts a user-controlled value and passes it to a PHP file inclusion function without sufficient validation. Because authentication is not required, any remote visitor can reach the vulnerable endpoint and supply crafted input. Attackers can leverage this primitive to read sensitive files, expose database credentials, or pivot toward remote code execution if writable upload paths exist.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper control of a filename used in a PHP include statement, mapped to [CWE-98]. The theme constructs file paths from request parameters without canonicalization, allowlisting, or extension enforcement. PHP's stream wrappers and traversal sequences such as ../ therefore extend the file inclusion scope beyond intended template directories.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker issues HTTP requests to the vulnerable WordPress endpoint exposed by the Ingenioso theme. By manipulating the parameter that controls the included file path, the attacker forces PHP to load arbitrary files from the underlying filesystem. Sensitive targets include wp-config.php, .env, /etc/passwd, and PHP session files. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69117

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Ingenioso theme PHP endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../, %2e%2e%2f, or absolute paths like /etc/passwd
Web server access logs showing requests with parameters referencing wp-config.php, .env, or PHP stream wrappers like php://filter
Unexpected reads of sensitive configuration files by the web server user
Outbound connections from the WordPress host immediately following suspicious parameter-laden requests

Detection Strategies

Inspect web access logs for query strings targeting theme files under /wp-content/themes/ingenioso/ with file path parameters
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that blocks traversal patterns and PHP wrapper schemes in query parameters
Use file integrity monitoring on wp-config.php and other sensitive files to detect read or modification anomalies
Correlate spikes in 200-status responses to theme endpoints with unusual user agents or source IP ranges

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward WordPress, PHP-FPM, and web server logs to a centralized analytics platform for query parameter inspection
Alert on requests containing encoded traversal tokens such as %2e%2e, ..%2f, or ..\ against theme paths
Track repeated 4xx and 5xx responses from theme endpoints that may indicate exploitation probes
Monitor for the creation of new PHP files in upload directories, a common follow-on to LFI exploitation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69117

Immediate Actions Required

Disable or remove the Ingenioso theme on any WordPress site running version 1.14.0 or earlier until a patched release is installed
Restrict access to the WordPress site behind a WAF that blocks path traversal and LFI payloads
Rotate credentials stored in wp-config.php, including database and authentication keys, if exploitation is suspected
Audit /wp-content/uploads/ and theme directories for unauthorized PHP files

Patch Information

No fixed version is listed in the available NVD data at the time of publication. Site owners should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for vendor patch updates and apply any released version above 1.14.0 as soon as it becomes available.

Workarounds

Switch the active theme to a maintained alternative until a patched Ingenioso release is published
Set the PHP directive open_basedir to constrain file inclusion to the WordPress root and prevent traversal to system files
Disable PHP stream wrappers such as php://filter by configuring allow_url_include = Off and reviewing disable_functions
Apply virtual patching at the WAF layer by blocking requests to theme endpoints containing file path parameters with traversal sequences

bash

# Example WAF rule and PHP hardening for LFI mitigation
# ModSecurity rule blocking traversal in query strings
SecRule ARGS "@rx (\.\./|\.\.\\|%2e%2e%2f|php://)" \
  "id:1009069117,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'CVE-2025-69117 LFI attempt'"

# php.ini hardening
allow_url_include = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"