CVE-2025-69120: Dazzle Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69120 Overview

CVE-2025-69120 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Dazzle WordPress theme, affecting versions 1.0.0 and earlier. The flaw allows remote attackers to include and read arbitrary files from the underlying server without authentication. The weakness maps to [CWE-98], improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP programs. Successful exploitation can expose sensitive configuration files, credentials stored in wp-config.php, and other server-side resources. Depending on PHP configuration and server state, file inclusion may also lead to code execution paths.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary local files on WordPress sites running vulnerable Dazzle theme versions, exposing credentials and sensitive data.

Affected Products

Dazzle WordPress theme version 1.0.0
Dazzle WordPress theme versions prior to 1.0.0
WordPress sites with the Dazzle theme installed and active

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69120 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69120

Vulnerability Analysis

The Dazzle theme contains an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion vulnerability classified under [CWE-98]. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate a file path parameter passed to a PHP include, require, include_once, or require_once statement. Because the theme does not validate or sanitize the user-supplied input before using it in an inclusion call, an attacker can traverse the file system and read files outside the intended directory.

No authentication is required to trigger the vulnerability. The attack is network-reachable through standard HTTP requests against the affected WordPress installation. According to Patchstack's advisory for the Dazzle theme, all versions up to and including 1.0.0 are affected.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation on a parameter used in a PHP file inclusion function. The theme accepts a filename or path from an HTTP request and passes it directly to an inclusion statement. PHP resolves the path relative to the server file system, allowing directory traversal sequences such as ../ to break out of the intended directory.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable theme endpoint with a manipulated path parameter. The PHP interpreter then includes the targeted file, returning its contents in the response or executing it as PHP code. Common targets include wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, log files, and session files. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for vendor-confirmed exploitation details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69120

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or encoded variants targeting Dazzle theme PHP files under /wp-content/themes/dazzle/
Web server access logs showing requests to theme endpoints with suspicious file, page, path, or template parameters
Unexpected reads of sensitive files such as wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files originating from the web server process

Detection Strategies

Inspect WordPress access logs for parameter values containing directory traversal patterns directed at the Dazzle theme directory
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag and block LFI patterns in query strings and POST bodies
Correlate file access telemetry on the web server with HTTP request logs to identify reads of sensitive files triggered by web traffic

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable file integrity monitoring on wp-config.php and other WordPress configuration files
Forward web server, PHP error, and WordPress logs to a centralized logging platform for retention and correlation
Alert on outbound responses containing strings such as DB_PASSWORD or AUTH_KEY that suggest configuration file leakage

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69120

Immediate Actions Required

Disable or remove the Dazzle theme on any WordPress site running version 1.0.0 or earlier until a patched release is available
Switch active sites to an alternative supported theme to eliminate exposure
Review web server access logs for prior exploitation attempts and rotate any credentials stored in wp-config.php if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no fixed version is listed in the available references. Monitor the Patchstack advisory page and the theme vendor's distribution channel for an official patched release. Apply updates immediately once published.

Workarounds

Deactivate and uninstall the Dazzle theme until a fixed version is released
Configure a WAF to block requests containing path traversal sequences and known LFI payloads against /wp-content/themes/dazzle/
Set PHP open_basedir and allow_url_include=Off to restrict file inclusion scope on the server

bash

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

# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) to block LFI patterns targeting the theme
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-content/themes/dazzle/" \
  "chain,id:1069120,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'CVE-2025-69120 Dazzle LFI attempt'"
  SecRule ARGS "@rx (\.\./|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e/)" "t:lowercase,t:urlDecodeUni"