CVE-2025-22509
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include arbitrary local files through PHP's include/require statements in the Atlas WordPress theme. Attackers can read sensitive files like configuration files or potentially execute code. All WordPress sites using Atlas theme versions up to 2.1.0 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- TMRW-studio Atlas WordPress Theme
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and website defacement.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure including database credentials, configuration files, and user data.
If Mitigated
Limited information disclosure if file permissions are properly configured and sensitive files are outside web root.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple path traversal or file inclusion payloads can exploit this. Public exploit details are available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.1.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/atlas/vulnerability/wordpress-atlas-theme-2-1-0-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Atlas theme to version 2.1.1 or later via WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Click 'Update Now' for Atlas theme. 4. Verify update completes successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allSwitch to a different WordPress theme temporarily until patched
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
wp theme deactivate atlas
Restrict PHP file operations
linuxConfigure PHP to restrict file inclusion operations via open_basedir
open_basedir = /var/www/html/:/tmp/
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file inclusion patterns
- Restrict file system permissions and move sensitive files outside web root
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress theme version in wp-content/themes/atlas/style.css or via WordPress admin panelCheck Version:
wp theme list --field=name,status,version | grep atlasVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Atlas theme version is 2.1.1 or higher in Appearance > Themes📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file paths in PHP error logs
- Multiple requests to theme files with path traversal patterns
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' or file inclusion patterns to theme files
SIEM Query:
source="web_access" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*theme/atlas*" AND (uri="*include*" OR uri="*require*"))