CVE-2025-69164: Skyward Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69164 Overview

CVE-2025-69164 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Skyward WordPress theme in versions 1.10 and earlier. The flaw is classified under [CWE-98], improper control of filename for include/require statement in a PHP program. Remote attackers can supply attacker-controlled input to a file inclusion routine and force the application to load arbitrary local files. Successful exploitation can expose sensitive configuration data, credentials, and source code, and in certain server configurations lead to remote code execution.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read sensitive local files on the WordPress host and potentially achieve code execution by including attacker-influenced files.

Affected Products

Skyward WordPress theme versions <= 1.10
WordPress sites with the Skyward theme installed and active
Hosting environments where PHP file inclusion functions accept unsanitized input

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69164 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69164

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Skyward theme's handling of file inclusion parameters. The theme passes user-controlled input to a PHP include, require, include_once, or require_once statement without sufficient validation. Because the endpoint requires no authentication, any remote attacker can trigger the inclusion by sending a crafted HTTP request.

The issue maps to [CWE-98], a class of bugs where filenames used in include statements are influenced by external input. Once the attacker controls the included path, the PHP interpreter parses and executes the target file. Local files such as wp-config.php can be disclosed, revealing database credentials and authentication secrets used by the WordPress installation.

The high attack complexity reflected in the scoring vector indicates the exploit requires specific conditions, such as a particular request structure or server configuration. Despite this, the network attack vector and lack of authentication keep the exposure significant for internet-facing WordPress sites.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing sanitization and allow-listing on a parameter that flows into a PHP file inclusion call. The theme treats untrusted input as a trusted path component. No checks restrict the include target to a fixed directory or a known set of template files.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends an unauthenticated HTTP request to a Skyward theme endpoint that processes a path parameter. By supplying traversal sequences or absolute paths, the attacker forces the application to include arbitrary files from the server's filesystem. If the attacker can write content to a known location, for example through log poisoning or file upload features elsewhere on the host, the included file can execute attacker-supplied PHP code.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. For technical details, see the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69164

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Skyward theme endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f
Requests referencing sensitive files including wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files
Unexpected access patterns to theme files under /wp-content/themes/skyward/ from anonymous clients
Outbound connections or new PHP files appearing in writable WordPress directories after suspicious requests

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for query strings containing directory traversal patterns targeting the Skyward theme
Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that block LFI payloads against WordPress theme paths
Correlate anonymous requests against theme parameters with subsequent reads of sensitive system files
File integrity monitoring on wp-content/themes/ and uploads directories to detect tampering

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward WordPress, PHP-FPM, and web server logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation
Alert on PHP include or require warnings and errors referencing user-controlled paths
Monitor authentication anomalies on WordPress administrator accounts following suspicious LFI activity
Track egress traffic from web hosts for signs of credential exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69164

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running the Skyward theme at version 1.10 or earlier
Deactivate the Skyward theme until a patched version is available and verified
Rotate WordPress secrets, database credentials, and API keys stored in wp-config.php if exploitation is suspected
Apply WAF virtual patching rules to block path traversal payloads against the affected theme

Patch Information

No vendor patch is referenced in the available data. Site operators should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for vendor updates and apply a fixed release as soon as it is published.

Workarounds

Switch to an alternative WordPress theme until a fixed version of Skyward is released
Restrict access to theme endpoints through web server rules or authentication front-ends
Set PHP open_basedir to confine file access to the WordPress document root and required directories
Disable allow_url_include in php.ini to prevent remote inclusion variants

bash

# Configuration example: harden PHP to limit file inclusion impact
# /etc/php/8.x/fpm/php.ini
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/wordpress:/tmp"

# Nginx rule to block traversal attempts against the Skyward theme
location ~* /wp-content/themes/skyward/ {
    if ($args ~* "\.\./|%2e%2e|/etc/passwd|wp-config") {
        return 403;
    }
}