CVE-2025-69322: PeakShops PHP File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69322 Overview

CVE-2025-69322 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the PeakShops WordPress theme developed by fuelthemes. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, classified under CWE-98 (PHP Remote File Inclusion). This flaw allows attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure, arbitrary code execution, or complete system compromise.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive files, access configuration data, or potentially achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other chaining techniques.

Affected Products

• fuelthemes PeakShops WordPress Theme versions prior to 1.5.9
• WordPress installations using vulnerable PeakShops theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE-2025-69322 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69322

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the PeakShops WordPress theme's handling of user-supplied input within PHP include or require statements. When the application fails to properly sanitize file path inputs, attackers can manipulate these parameters to include arbitrary files from the local file system.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in PHP applications occur when user-controlled input is passed directly to file inclusion functions (include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once()) without adequate validation. The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means remote attackers can exploit it without requiring local system access, though the attack complexity is considered high due to specific conditions that must be met for successful exploitation.

Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive server files, including configuration files containing database credentials, WordPress configuration data, and potentially other sensitive information stored on the server.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper control of filename parameters passed to PHP include/require statements. The PeakShops theme fails to implement adequate input validation and sanitization on user-supplied file paths, allowing directory traversal sequences and arbitrary file references to be processed by PHP's file inclusion functions.

This represents a classic CWE-98 vulnerability pattern where developers trust user input without implementing proper allowlist validation, path canonicalization, or restriction of accessible directories.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2025-69322 is network-based, meaning exploitation can occur remotely over HTTP/HTTPS. An attacker can craft malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../) or absolute file paths to include sensitive local files.

Common exploitation techniques for LFI vulnerabilities include:

• Reading sensitive configuration files such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or .htaccess
• Accessing application log files for log poisoning attacks
• Including uploaded files to achieve code execution
• Reading session files for session hijacking

The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, though successful exploitation may depend on specific server configurations and file permissions.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69322

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting the PeakShops theme endpoints
• Unusual access patterns to sensitive system files like /etc/passwd or WordPress configuration files
• Web server error logs showing failed file inclusion attempts or path traversal attempts
• Unexpected file access in application logs referencing files outside the theme directory

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing suspicious file path patterns targeting PeakShops theme files
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress and system configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for LFI attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerting for access attempts to sensitive files like wp-config.php from unusual sources
• Monitor for unusual process spawning from web server processes that could indicate code execution
• Review PHP error logs regularly for file inclusion errors or permission denied messages
• Establish baseline behavior for theme file access and alert on anomalies

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69322

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the PeakShops WordPress theme to version 1.5.9 or later immediately
• Review web server access logs for signs of exploitation attempts against this vulnerability
• Audit any other WordPress themes and plugins for similar file inclusion vulnerabilities
• Consider implementing a Web Application Firewall with LFI protection rules as defense-in-depth

Patch Information

The vulnerability has been addressed in PeakShops theme version 1.5.9. Site administrators should update to this version or later through the WordPress theme update mechanism or by manually downloading and installing the patched version from the theme vendor.

For detailed vulnerability information and patch verification, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Disclosure.

Workarounds

• Restrict file permissions on sensitive server files to prevent unauthorized read access by the web server user
• Implement PHP open_basedir restrictions to limit file inclusion to specific directories
• Disable the PeakShops theme temporarily if an immediate update is not possible, switching to a secure alternative theme
• Configure web server rules to block requests containing directory traversal patterns targeting theme files

# Example .htaccess rules to block common LFI patterns
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|wp-config\.php) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]