CVE-2025-69118 Overview
CVE-2025-69118 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the CopyPress WordPress theme in versions 1.4.5 and earlier. The flaw allows remote attackers to include arbitrary files from the server file system without authentication. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). Successful exploitation can expose sensitive configuration files, credentials, and lead to remote code execution in environments where attacker-controlled content can be written to the server.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read sensitive files such as wp-config.php and potentially achieve code execution on WordPress sites running the affected CopyPress theme.
Affected Products
- CopyPress WordPress theme versions 1.4.5 and earlier
- WordPress installations using the vulnerable CopyPress theme
- Any hosting environment running the affected theme version
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69118 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-69118
Vulnerability Analysis
The CopyPress theme contains a PHP file inclusion routine that accepts user-controlled input and passes it to an include or require statement without sufficient validation. An unauthenticated attacker can supply a crafted parameter value to load arbitrary local files. This category of flaw, classified as [CWE-98], typically results from concatenating request parameters directly into file path arguments. The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction, although the attack complexity is elevated due to environmental conditions required for full exploitation. The Patchstack advisory tracks this issue against CopyPress version 1.4.5 and earlier.
Root Cause
The root cause is the use of unsanitized input within a PHP file inclusion function. The theme does not enforce an allowlist of permitted files, does not normalize path traversal sequences such as ../, and does not restrict the file extension or directory scope. As a result, the inclusion target can be redirected outside the intended template directory.
Attack Vector
An attacker issues an HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint with a manipulated parameter pointing to a sensitive file on disk. Targets typically include wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, log files, and uploaded files containing PHP payloads. If the attacker can write controlled content into a server-accessible location, the LFI can be chained into remote code execution. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for additional context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69118
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences such as ../../, encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f, or null byte injection attempts targeting CopyPress theme endpoints.
- Web server access logs showing requests with parameters referencing sensitive files including wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP wrappers such as php://filter.
- Unexpected outbound connections or PHP errors originating from CopyPress theme files in /wp-content/themes/copypress/.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for query strings containing file paths, traversal patterns, or PHP stream wrappers directed at CopyPress theme files.
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag LFI signatures and suspicious parameter values containing path delimiters.
- Correlate file system reads of sensitive configuration files with the PHP-FPM or web server worker process to identify anomalous inclusion activity.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose PHP error logging to capture failed include or require calls referencing unexpected paths.
- Monitor file integrity on the WordPress installation, especially wp-content/themes/copypress/ and wp-config.php.
- Alert on repeated 200 responses for theme endpoints that return unusually large or sensitive content payloads.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69118
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify any WordPress site running the CopyPress theme version 1.4.5 or earlier and disable or remove the theme until a patched release is verified.
- Restrict access to vulnerable endpoints at the web server or WAF layer to block path traversal and PHP wrapper payloads.
- Rotate any secrets stored in wp-config.php, including database credentials and authentication keys, if exploitation is suspected.
Patch Information
No fixed version is listed in the available advisory data at the time of publication. Monitor the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability entry for updates from the theme author and apply the patched release as soon as it becomes available.
Workarounds
- Switch to a maintained WordPress theme until CopyPress publishes a fixed version.
- Apply virtual patching through a WAF by blocking requests containing ../, %2e%2e, or php:// patterns directed at theme paths.
- Enforce open_basedir and disable_functions in PHP configuration to limit which files PHP processes can read and include.
# Configuration example - PHP hardening to restrict file inclusion scope
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
