CVE-2025-53448
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through improper filename control in PHP's include/require statements. It affects WordPress Rally theme users running versions up to and including 1.1, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Rally Theme
📦 What is this software?
Rally by Axiomthemes
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise through local file inclusion leading to remote code execution, sensitive file access (e.g., /etc/passwd, database credentials), and complete website takeover.
Likely Case
Sensitive information disclosure including configuration files, database credentials, and server environment details, potentially enabling further attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and web server configurations that restrict access to sensitive directories.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires knowledge of vulnerable parameter and path traversal techniques. Public proof-of-concept demonstrates file inclusion via crafted URLs.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/rally/vulnerability/wordpress-rally-theme-1-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Rally theme to version 1.2 or later via WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Click 'Update Now' for Rally theme. 4. Verify update completes successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allTemporarily switch to default WordPress theme to mitigate vulnerability
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
Web application firewall rule
linuxBlock requests containing path traversal sequences in URL parameters
# Example mod_security rule: SecRule ARGS "\.\./" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation on all user-controlled parameters that could affect file inclusion
- Configure web server to deny access to sensitive directories and implement proper file permissions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress theme version via Appearance > Themes in admin panel or examine style.css in theme directory for version numberCheck Version:
wp theme list --field=name,status,version | grep rallyVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm theme version is 1.2 or later and test vulnerable endpoints with path traversal payloads that should now be blocked📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' sequences in URL parameters
- Access to sensitive files like /etc/passwd from web logs
- PHP warnings about failed file inclusion
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file paths in HTTP GET parameters
- Requests to theme files with path traversal payloads
SIEM Query:
source="web_access.log" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*..\\*" OR uri="*/etc/passwd*")