CVE-2025-69161 Overview
CVE-2025-69161 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Snowy WordPress theme in versions 1.13 and earlier. The flaw is classified under [CWE-98], improper control of filename for include/require statement in a PHP program (PHP Remote File Inclusion). Attackers can exploit this issue over the network without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation allows reading arbitrary local files and, depending on server configuration, executing attacker-controlled PHP code on the affected WordPress site.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can include arbitrary local files through the Snowy theme, leading to sensitive file disclosure and potential remote code execution on affected WordPress servers.
Affected Products
- Snowy WordPress theme versions <= 1.13
- WordPress installations using the vulnerable Snowy theme
- Any hosting environment serving the affected theme
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69161 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-69161
Vulnerability Analysis
The Snowy theme contains an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion vulnerability in versions up to and including 1.13. The flaw maps to [CWE-98], which describes improper control of filenames passed to PHP include or require statements. The theme accepts user-supplied input and passes it into a file inclusion routine without proper validation or sanitization.
Attackers reach the vulnerable code path over the network with no credentials and no user interaction. Once the attacker controls the included path, the PHP interpreter loads and executes the referenced file in the context of the WordPress process. This converts a file read primitive into code execution when log files, uploads, or session data contain attacker-controlled content.
The EPSS model assigns this issue a probability of 0.348% with a percentile rank of 26.5, reflecting current observed exploitation activity rather than the technical severity.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input validation on a parameter that feeds a PHP include or require call inside the Snowy theme. The theme does not constrain the path to an allow-list of expected template files and does not strip directory traversal sequences. Any string supplied by the requester reaches the inclusion function directly.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires only an HTTP request to a vulnerable Snowy theme endpoint. The attacker supplies a path parameter pointing to a local file such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or a previously uploaded payload. PHP wrappers including php://filter may be used to exfiltrate source code or to chain file disclosure into code execution. No authentication, session, or prior compromise is required.
No public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69161
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Snowy theme files containing ../ traversal sequences or absolute paths in query parameters
- Requests containing PHP stream wrappers such as php://filter, php://input, or data:// in query strings
- Unexpected reads of sensitive files such as wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files by the web server process
- Web server access logs showing 200 responses for theme endpoints with unusual file path parameters
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests targeting /wp-content/themes/snowy/ with suspicious parameter values
- Apply WAF signatures that flag directory traversal patterns and PHP wrapper schemes in query strings
- Correlate file access telemetry from the WordPress host with the originating HTTP request to identify out-of-bounds reads
- Monitor PHP error logs for failed inclusions referencing paths outside the theme directory
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on any process spawned by the web server user that follows access to Snowy theme URLs
- Track outbound connections initiated by the PHP-FPM or Apache worker process immediately after suspicious requests
- Watch for new or modified files in wp-content/uploads/ that contain PHP code, which can be chained with LFI for code execution
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69161
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the Snowy theme on all WordPress sites running version 1.13 or earlier until a patched release is confirmed
- Switch affected sites to a maintained default theme such as a current Twenty-series theme
- Audit wp-config.php, database credentials, and stored secrets for exposure, and rotate any that may have been read
- Review web server access logs for prior exploitation attempts going back to the theme's installation date
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the published advisory data for CVE-2025-69161 at this time. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation status and any fixed version that may be released.
Workarounds
- Block requests to Snowy theme endpoints containing ../, null bytes, or PHP wrapper schemes at the WAF or reverse proxy layer
- Set allow_url_include = Off and restrict open_basedir in php.ini to limit file inclusion scope
- Enforce least privilege on the web server user so that sensitive files outside the WordPress document root are not readable
- Remove the theme directory from disk if the theme is not actively in use
# php.ini hardening to limit LFI impact
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"
disable_functions = "exec,passthru,shell_exec,system,proc_open,popen"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
