CVE-2025-69123 Overview
CVE-2025-69123 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Snow Club WordPress theme in versions 1.1 and earlier. The flaw allows remote attackers to include arbitrary local files on the underlying server without authentication. Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive configuration files, source code, and credentials, and may enable code execution depending on server configuration. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).
Critical Impact
Remote, unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary files on the server hosting the Snow Club theme, exposing credentials and configuration data and potentially enabling code execution.
Affected Products
- WordPress Snow Club theme version 1.1
- WordPress Snow Club theme versions earlier than 1.1
- WordPress sites with the vulnerable Snow Club theme installed and active
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69123 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-69123
Vulnerability Analysis
The Snow Club theme exposes a file inclusion code path that accepts attacker-controlled input and passes it to a PHP include or require statement without proper validation. Because the affected endpoint does not require authentication, any unauthenticated user reachable over the network can trigger the inclusion. The flaw maps to [CWE-98], which covers PHP file inclusion driven by externally-influenced input.
When the included path resolves to a sensitive local file such as wp-config.php, the attacker can retrieve database credentials, authentication keys, and salts. With sufficient control over the included path, the attacker may also include log files, uploaded files, or session data to achieve code execution in PHP contexts.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient sanitization of a file path parameter before it reaches a PHP file inclusion function. The theme treats untrusted input as a trusted filesystem path, allowing directory traversal sequences and absolute paths to be resolved by the PHP interpreter. Without an allowlist of permitted templates, any readable file on the server becomes a candidate for inclusion.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable theme endpoint, supplying a traversal payload that references a sensitive file. The exploit complexity is rated high, suggesting that reliable exploitation may depend on server configuration such as PHP version, allow_url_include settings, or open_basedir restrictions.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available at the time of publication. Refer to the Patchstack Local File Inclusion Vulnerability advisory for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69123
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Snow Club theme files containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or URL-encoded null bytes.
- Requests with query parameters referencing system files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files.
- Unexpected access patterns to theme endpoints from unauthenticated sources at high frequency.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests targeting Snow Club theme paths with suspicious file path parameters.
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that flag directory traversal patterns and inclusion of sensitive WordPress files.
- Correlate file read events on wp-config.php and related configuration files with inbound HTTP requests to the theme.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose HTTP request logging on the WordPress site and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for analysis.
- Monitor outbound traffic for exfiltration of configuration data following suspicious theme requests.
- Alert on WordPress integrity changes, including unexpected modifications to theme files or new PHP files under wp-content/uploads.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69123
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress installations using the Snow Club theme version 1.1 or earlier and prioritize remediation.
- Deactivate and remove the Snow Club theme if a patched version is not yet available from the vendor.
- Rotate WordPress database credentials, authentication keys, and salts if exposure is suspected.
Patch Information
No fixed version is published in the available CVE data. Consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest vendor remediation status and apply any released updates as soon as they become available.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to the vulnerable theme endpoints using WAF rules or server-level access controls until a patch is applied.
- Apply PHP open_basedir restrictions to limit which directories the PHP interpreter can read from.
- Disable allow_url_include in php.ini to prevent inclusion of remote resources if attackers attempt to escalate the LFI.
- Replace the Snow Club theme with a maintained alternative if vendor remediation is not forthcoming.
# Configuration example: harden PHP against LFI exploitation
# In php.ini
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
