CVE-2025-69143 Overview
CVE-2025-69143 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Mission WordPress theme in versions up to and including 1.22. The flaw is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement). Remote attackers can manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary files from the underlying web server without authentication. Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive configuration data, source code, and credentials, and may enable code execution depending on the server configuration.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read sensitive files such as wp-config.php and potentially achieve remote code execution by abusing PHP file inclusion behavior.
Affected Products
- WordPress Mission theme versions <= 1.22
- WordPress sites with the Mission theme active
- Hosting environments running vulnerable Mission theme installations
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69143 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-69143
Vulnerability Analysis
The Mission WordPress theme fails to properly validate user-supplied input used in PHP file inclusion functions. An unauthenticated remote attacker can supply a crafted path through an HTTP request parameter, causing the application to include a file from the local file system. Because the include statement executes the contents as PHP, any file containing PHP code that the attacker can reach or plant becomes a code execution primitive.
The Patchstack advisory categorizes this issue as an LFI affecting versions through 1.22. The vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, but successful exploitation may depend on path canonicalization and PHP configuration directives such as allow_url_include and open_basedir.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper control of filename for an include or require statement [CWE-98]. The theme passes attacker-controlled input directly into a PHP file inclusion function without enforcing an allowlist, sanitizing path traversal sequences such as ../, or validating that the resolved path remains within an expected directory.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based. An attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable endpoint exposed by the Mission theme, supplying a path that traverses out of the theme directory. The server processes the include and either discloses file contents or executes them as PHP. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for full technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69143
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences such as ../../, ..%2f, or URL-encoded null bytes targeting Mission theme endpoints under /wp-content/themes/mission/.
- Web server access logs showing requests with parameters referencing sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or /proc/self/environ.
- PHP error logs reporting include() or require() failures referencing unexpected paths outside the theme directory.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress and reverse proxy logs for query strings containing directory traversal patterns directed at Mission theme files.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that match common LFI payloads and PHP wrapper schemes such as php://filter and php://input.
- Correlate file read events on wp-config.php and other sensitive files with the originating HTTP process to flag anomalous access patterns.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose access logging on the WordPress front-end and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and search.
- Alert on outbound network connections initiated by the PHP-FPM or web server process to non-standard destinations, which can indicate post-LFI code execution.
- Monitor file integrity on theme directories and WordPress core files to identify webshell or backdoor placement following exploitation.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69143
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites using the Mission theme and confirm the installed version against the vulnerable range <= 1.22.
- Disable or switch away from the Mission theme on affected sites until a patched version is verified and deployed.
- Restrict access to the WordPress admin interface and theme endpoints using IP allowlisting or authentication at the reverse proxy.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for the latest patched version and remediation guidance. Apply the vendor-provided update for the Mission theme as soon as it becomes available and validate the version after upgrade.
Workarounds
- Deploy WAF signatures that block path traversal sequences and PHP wrapper schemes in query parameters targeting theme files.
- Harden PHP configuration by setting allow_url_include = Off and configuring open_basedir to restrict file inclusion to expected directories.
- Set strict filesystem permissions so that the web server user cannot read sensitive files such as wp-config.php outside of required operations.
- Place the WordPress instance behind a reverse proxy with virtual patching rules for known LFI payloads while waiting for the vendor fix.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
