CVE-2025-69159: Printo Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69159 Overview

CVE-2025-69159 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Printo WordPress theme in versions 1.11 and earlier. The flaw allows remote attackers to include arbitrary local files through the theme without authentication. The issue is tracked under CWE-98, which covers improper control of filename for include or require statements in PHP programs.

Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive server-side files, execution of attacker-controlled PHP content, and full compromise of the underlying WordPress installation. The vulnerability was reported through the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can include local files on the web server, leading to information disclosure and potential remote code execution on WordPress sites running the Printo theme.

Affected Products

Printo WordPress theme versions <= 1.11
WordPress installations that have the Printo theme installed and activated
Hosting environments exposing affected WordPress sites to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69159 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69159

Vulnerability Analysis

The Printo theme contains a PHP file inclusion routine that accepts attacker-controlled input and passes it to a PHP include, require, or equivalent statement. Because the input is not validated against an allow-list of safe filenames, an attacker can supply a path that resolves to an arbitrary file on the server. This category of flaw is classified by MITRE as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ([CWE-98]).

The attack is reachable over the network with no authentication and no user interaction required. Exploitation complexity is elevated because the attacker must understand the affected parameter and the target file paths, but no credentials or session context are needed. Impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability when an included file is interpreted as PHP.

Root Cause

The root cause is unsanitized user input flowing directly into a dynamic PHP include construct within the Printo theme code. The theme does not normalize the requested path, does not enforce an allow-list of permissible files, and does not restrict inclusion to a fixed directory. Path traversal sequences and absolute paths are therefore accepted by the include statement.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable Printo theme endpoint. The request supplies a parameter value that references a local file path, optionally using directory traversal sequences such as ../. The PHP runtime resolves the path and includes the file, returning its contents in the HTTP response or executing it as PHP. Attackers commonly target wp-config.php to recover database credentials, log files for log poisoning, or session and upload directories to chain into remote code execution.

No public proof-of-concept exploit, exploit database entry, or CISA KEV listing is currently associated with this CVE. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69159

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Printo theme paths under wp-content/themes/printo/ containing parameters with path traversal sequences such as ../../ or absolute paths like /etc/passwd
Web server responses returning contents of wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or other sensitive files in unexpected contexts
Unusual PHP errors in web server logs referencing include(), require(), or failed to open stream from theme files
New or modified PHP files in wp-content/uploads/ shortly after suspicious inbound requests

Detection Strategies

Inspect web access logs for query strings referencing local file paths, php://filter, or traversal patterns targeting the Printo theme directory
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule set that flags LFI patterns in requests to WordPress theme files
Run authenticated WordPress vulnerability scans that fingerprint the Printo theme version and flag installations at version 1.11 or below

Monitoring Recommendations

Continuously monitor file integrity for wp-config.php, theme directories, and wp-content/uploads/ for unexpected reads or writes
Alert on PHP process spawning of system utilities such as bash, sh, curl, or wget originating from the web server user
Forward WordPress, PHP, and web server logs to a centralized log platform and correlate spikes in 200 responses for parameters that historically returned 404

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69159

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running the Printo theme and confirm the installed version through the WordPress admin or by inspecting style.css in the theme directory
Deactivate the Printo theme on affected sites until a vendor-supplied patch is verified and applied
Apply WAF virtual patching rules that block path traversal and LFI patterns targeting the theme
Rotate WordPress database credentials, secret keys, and salts in wp-config.php if exploitation is suspected

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no fixed version is referenced in the NVD entry. Site operators should consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest remediation guidance and upgrade to a patched release of the Printo theme as soon as the vendor publishes one.

Workarounds

Replace the Printo theme with an actively maintained alternative if a patched release is not available
Configure PHP with open_basedir and disable_functions to restrict file access scope and limit post-exploitation impact
Set restrictive file system permissions so the web server user cannot read sensitive files outside the WordPress document root
Block direct HTTP access to PHP files inside wp-content/themes/printo/ that are not required for normal site operation

bash

# Example NGINX rule to block LFI traversal patterns targeting the Printo theme
location ~* /wp-content/themes/printo/ {
    if ($args ~* "(\.\./|%2e%2e/|php://|/etc/passwd|wp-config)") {
        return 403;
    }
}