CVE-2025-53439
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through improper filename control in PHP include/require statements. It affects WordPress Harper theme users running versions up to and including 1.13, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Harper Theme
📦 What is this software?
Harper by Axiomthemes
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete server compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local file inclusion allowing reading of sensitive files like configuration files, logs, or source code, potentially leading to credential theft.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and web server configurations that restrict file access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP requests can trigger the vulnerability. Public exploit details are available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.14 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/harper/vulnerability/wordpress-harper-theme-1-13-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Check for Harper theme update. 4. If update available, click Update Now. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress theme repository and upload manually.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Harper Theme
allTemporarily switch to a different WordPress theme until patch can be applied.
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
wp theme deactivate harper
Web Application Firewall Rule
linuxBlock requests containing local file inclusion patterns targeting Harper theme files.
ModSecurity rule: SecRule REQUEST_URI "\.php.*include.*harper" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file permissions on web directories to prevent reading sensitive files
- Deploy web application firewall with LFI detection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes for Harper theme version. If version is 1.13 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp theme list --name=harper --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Harper theme version shows 1.14 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests to Harper theme PHP files with include/require parameters
- Access to sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php in web logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET/POST requests containing file inclusion patterns (../, /etc/, C:\\) to theme files
SIEM Query:
source="web_access.log" AND (uri="*harper*" AND (uri="*include*" OR uri="*require*" OR uri="*..*"))