CVE-2025-53442 – This vulnerability allows attackers to include ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-53442?

CVE-2025-53442 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through PHP's include/require statements in the Rentic WordPress theme. Attackers can read sensitive files like configuration files or potentially execute code. All WordPress sites using Rentic theme version 1.1 or earlier are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through PHP's include/require statements in the Rentic WordPress theme. Attackers can read sensitive files like configuration files or potentially execute code. All WordPress sites using Rentic theme version 1.1 or earlier are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

axiomthemes Rentic WordPress theme

Versions: <= 1.1

Operating Systems: Any OS running PHP

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress installation with Rentic theme active.

📦 What is this software?

Rentic by Axiomthemes

View all CVEs affecting Rentic →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution leading to complete server compromise, data theft, and website defacement.

🟠

Likely Case

Sensitive file disclosure (database credentials, configuration files) and limited code execution.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper file permissions and web server hardening are in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Simple HTTP requests can trigger the vulnerability without authentication.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: >1.1

Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/rentic/vulnerability/wordpress-rentic-theme-1-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Update Rentic theme to latest version via WordPress admin panel. 2. If update unavailable, remove theme entirely. 3. Verify theme files are replaced with patched versions.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable PHP include functions

all

Restrict PHP's ability to include files from untrusted sources via php.ini

allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off

Web server file restriction

linux

Block access to vulnerable theme files via web server configuration

LocationMatch "^/wp-content/themes/rentic/.*\.php$"
Deny from all

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Remove Rentic theme entirely and replace with secure alternative
Implement web application firewall rules to block LFI patterns

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel for Rentic theme version <=1.1

Check Version:

grep -r "Version:" wp-content/themes/rentic/style.css

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm theme version >1.1 or theme removed from wp-content/themes/

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

HTTP requests to rentic theme files with ../ patterns
PHP include/require errors in web server logs

Network Indicators:

GET/POST requests containing file inclusion patterns (../, /etc/passwd, etc.)

SIEM Query:

source="web_logs" AND (uri="*rentic*" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*/etc/passwd*"))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-53442

CVSS v3 Score: 8.1 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-98

EPSS Score: 0.17% exploit probability (37.5th percentile)

Published: December 18, 2025

Last Updated: January 20, 2026

🔗 References

https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/rentic/vulnerability/wordpress-rentic-theme-1-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2025-53442, you might also want to check these: