CVE-2025-69170: Eventicity Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69170 Overview

CVE-2025-69170 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Eventicity WordPress theme in versions up to and including 1.5. The flaw is classified under [CWE-98], improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP programs. Attackers can exploit the issue remotely without authentication to include arbitrary local files through the affected theme. Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive configuration data and, depending on server configuration, execution of attacker-controlled PHP code. The vulnerability was published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on June 17, 2026.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary local files and potentially achieve remote code execution on WordPress sites running the Eventicity theme.

Affected Products

Eventicity WordPress theme versions ≤ 1.5
WordPress installations using the vulnerable theme
PHP-based deployments where the theme processes user-supplied include paths

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-69170 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69170

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a Local File Inclusion issue in the Eventicity WordPress theme. PHP include or require statements in the theme accept attacker-controlled input without sufficient validation. An unauthenticated attacker can manipulate a parameter that is passed into a file inclusion function to load files outside the intended directory.

When exploited, the server interprets the included file. If the file contains PHP code, that code executes in the context of the web server process. If the file is a configuration or credential store such as wp-config.php, its contents may be disclosed to the attacker.

The attack vector is network-based, requires no privileges, and requires no user interaction. Attack complexity is rated as high, suggesting specific conditions or knowledge of valid file paths may be required for reliable exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input passed to a PHP include or require statement. The theme fails to enforce an allowlist of permitted files and does not strip directory traversal sequences or scheme prefixes before including the requested resource.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable theme endpoint with a file path parameter pointing to a local file. Because authentication is not required, the request can originate from any internet-facing client. The included file is then parsed by PHP, leading to information disclosure or code execution depending on the target file. Refer to the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69170

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Eventicity theme paths containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f.
Requests referencing sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or proc/self/environ in query parameters.
Unexpected PHP errors or warnings in web server logs referencing include() or require() calls from Eventicity theme files.
Outbound connections or file reads originating from the web server process to unusual local paths.

Detection Strategies

Inspect web access logs for query strings containing path traversal patterns targeting theme endpoints.
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag inclusion attempts referencing known sensitive files.
Correlate PHP error logs with HTTP request logs to identify failed inclusion attempts that precede successful exploitation.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor file integrity on the WordPress installation, particularly under wp-content/themes/eventicity/.
Alert on PHP process reads of files outside the document root.
Track anomalous user-agent strings and source IPs scanning for WordPress theme vulnerabilities.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69170

Immediate Actions Required

Disable or remove the Eventicity theme until a patched version is confirmed available.
Restrict access to the WordPress site at the network or WAF layer while remediation is performed.
Audit web server and PHP logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts referencing the theme.
Rotate any credentials, API keys, or secrets stored in wp-config.php if exploitation cannot be ruled out.

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no vendor patch URL is listed in the available references. Site operators should consult the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation guidance and switch to an alternative theme if a fixed version is not yet released.

Workarounds

Place the affected theme behind a WAF rule that blocks path traversal sequences and absolute paths in query parameters.
Configure PHP open_basedir to constrain file access to the WordPress directory tree.
Set allow_url_include to Off and allow_url_fopen to Off in php.ini to limit inclusion attack surface.
Replace Eventicity with a maintained theme that provides equivalent functionality until a fix is published.

bash

# php.ini hardening to limit LFI impact
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"