CVE-2025-54003 – This vulnerability allows attackers to include ... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to include local PHP files through improper filename control in the Depot WordPress theme. Attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code on affected WordPress sites. All WordPress installations using Depot theme versions up to and including 1.16 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Mikado-Themes Depot WordPress Theme

Versions: n/a through <= 1.16

Operating Systems: Any OS running PHP

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress with Depot theme installed and activated

⚠️ 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.

Recommended Actions:

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

Full server compromise leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or complete site takeover

🟠

Likely Case

Arbitrary code execution leading to backdoor installation, data exfiltration, or site defacement

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper file permissions and web application firewalls are in place

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

PHP local file inclusion vulnerabilities are commonly exploited and weaponized quickly

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: >1.16

Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/depot/vulnerability/wordpress-depot-theme-1-16-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Update Depot theme to latest version via WordPress admin panel
2. Verify theme version is >1.16
3. Clear any caching plugins or server caches

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable theme

all

Switch to default WordPress theme until patch is applied

wp theme activate twentytwentyfour

Web Application Firewall rule

all

Block requests containing local file inclusion patterns

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Remove Depot theme completely from WordPress installation
Implement strict file permissions (644 for files, 755 for directories)

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes for Depot theme version

Check Version:

wp theme list --name=depot --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Depot theme version is >1.16 in WordPress admin

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual file include requests in PHP error logs
Requests with suspicious file path parameters

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests with file path traversal patterns
Unexpected PHP file access patterns

SIEM Query:

source="*access.log*" AND ("include" OR "require") AND (".." OR "/etc/" OR "/proc/")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-54003

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

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

CWE: CWE-98

EPSS Score: 0.15% exploit probability (35.8th percentile)

Published: January 22, 2026

Last Updated: January 26, 2026

🔗 References

https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/depot/vulnerability/wordpress-depot-theme-1-16-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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