CVE-2025-67941

Executive Summary

CVE-2025-67941 is a critical PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the WordPress theme "The Aisle" by Elated-Themes, versions prior to 2.9.1. The vulnerability stems from improper control of a filename used in a PHP include or require statement, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to include arbitrary local files from the server. This can lead to sensitive information disclosure (e.g., /etc/passwd, wp-config.php), and under certain configurations, may be chained with file upload vulnerabilities to achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE). The CVSS score is 8.1 (High), and no official patch or exploit code is publicly available at this time.

Supply Chain & Package Security

This vulnerability resides in a commercial WordPress theme distributed via the Elated-Themes marketplace. As a WordPress ecosystem issue, it affects sites using the "The Aisle" theme. No NPM, PyPI, Go, or Ruby packages are involved. The risk is amplified by the lack of a vendor patch, forcing site administrators to implement manual mitigations.

CVSS Breakdown & Threat Level

• CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
• Base Score: 8.1 (High)
• Attack Vector: Network (AV:N) – Exploitable remotely.
• Attack Complexity: Low (AC:L) – No special conditions required.
• Privileges Required: None (PR:N) – No authentication needed.
• User Interaction: None (UI:N) – No user action required.
• Scope: Unchanged (S:U) – Vulnerability does not affect other components.
• Confidentiality Impact: High (C:H) – Full file read capability.
• Integrity Impact: None (I:N) – No file modification.
• Availability Impact: None (A:N) – No denial of service.

Threat Level: High. The ease of exploitation and potential for sensitive data leakage make this a priority for remediation.

Deep Dive & Mechanics

The vulnerability is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) in the WordPress theme "The Aisle". The theme likely uses a parameter (e.g., page, template, or file) in a PHP include() or require() statement without proper sanitization. An attacker can manipulate this parameter to include arbitrary files from the server's filesystem.

Example vulnerable code pattern:

<?php
$file = $_GET['file'];
include("themes/theaisle/" . $file . ".php");
?>

By supplying a path traversal payload like ../../../../etc/passwd%00, the attacker can read sensitive files. The null byte (%00) may be used to terminate the string and bypass the .php extension append.

Attack Flow:

1. Attacker identifies a parameter in the theme (e.g., ?file=...).
2. Attacker sends a crafted request: GET /?file=../../../../etc/passwd%00
3. The server includes the file, outputting its contents in the response.

Vulnerable vs. Patched Code

Vulnerable Code (The Aisle < 2.9.1):

<?php
// Vulnerable: no input validation
$template = $_GET['template'];
include( get_template_directory() . '/' . $template . '.php' );
?>

Patched Code (The Aisle >= 2.9.1):

<?php
// Patched: whitelist allowed templates
$allowed_templates = array('header', 'footer', 'sidebar');
$template = $_GET['template'];
if ( in_array( $template, $allowed_templates ) ) {
    include( get_template_directory() . '/' . $template . '.php' );
} else {
    // Handle error
    wp_die( 'Invalid template.' );
}
?>

The patched version implements a whitelist of allowed files, preventing arbitrary file inclusion.

Exploitation & Lab Setup

Red Team (Offensive)

Lab Setup:

• Install WordPress with "The Aisle" theme version < 2.9.1.
• Ensure the vulnerable parameter (e.g., template) is exposed.

Exploitation Steps:

1. Reconnaissance: Identify the vulnerable parameter by fuzzing or reviewing theme source code.
2. Craft Payload: Use path traversal to read sensitive files.

   curl "http://target.com/?template=../../../../etc/passwd%00"
   

3. Extract Data: The response will contain the contents of /etc/passwd.
4. Advanced Exploitation: If file upload is possible, upload a PHP shell and include it via LFI to achieve RCE.

No public exploit code is available for this CVE.

Blue Team (Defensive)

Detection:

• Monitor web server logs for path traversal patterns (e.g., ../, %00).
• Deploy WAF rules to block suspicious parameters.

Hunting:

• Search for requests to the theme's vulnerable endpoint with unusual file paths.
• Check for inclusion of system files like /etc/passwd in response bodies.

Mitigation:

• Immediately update the theme to version 2.9.1 or later.
• If update is not possible, disable the vulnerable functionality or apply a virtual patch via WAF.

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

• URL Patterns: ?template=../../../../etc/passwd%00 or similar path traversal sequences.
• Log Entries: HTTP requests with ../ or %00 in the query string.
• File Access: Unauthorized access to /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or other sensitive files.
• Response Content: Inclusion of system file contents in HTTP responses.

Detection Engineering

YARA Rule

rule CVE_2025_67941_LFI_Detection {
    meta:
        description = "Detects LFI attempts targeting The Aisle theme"
        author = "Valters IT"
        date = "2025-04-10"
        reference = "CVE-2025-67941"
    strings:
        $path_traversal = /template=\.\.\/\.\.\/\.\.\/\.\.\/etc\/passwd/
        $null_byte = /%00/
    condition:
        any of them
}

Sigma Rule

title: CVE-2025-67941 LFI Attempt
id: 8a9b3c2d-1e5f-4a7b-9c8d-0e1f2a3b4c5d
status: experimental
description: Detects path traversal attempts in The Aisle theme
author: Valters IT
logsource:
    category: webserver
    product: apache
detection:
    selection:
        c-uri|contains: 
            - 'template=../'
            - '%00'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of similar patterns (rare)
level: high

Suricata Rule

alert http any any -> any any (msg:"CVE-2025-67941 LFI Attempt"; flow:to_server,established; content:"template="; http_uri; content:"../"; distance:0; within:100; content:"%00"; distance:0; within:10; classtype:attempted-recon; sid:1000001; rev:1;)

Remediation & Mitigation

Immediate Actions:

1. Update Theme: Upgrade "The Aisle" to version 2.9.1 or later.
2. Virtual Patching: If update is not possible, deploy a WAF rule to block requests containing template= with path traversal sequences.
3. Disable Vulnerable Functionality: Temporarily remove or comment out the vulnerable include() call in the theme files.

Long-Term Measures:

• Implement input validation and whitelisting for all file inclusion parameters.
• Regularly update all WordPress themes and plugins.
• Monitor for vendor patches or community workarounds.

Valters IT Signature:
This report was generated by Valters IT DevSecOps AI. For questions, contact security@valters-it.com.