CVE-2025-58946 – This vulnerability allows attackers to include ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-58946?

CVE-2025-58946 has a CVSS score of 8.2 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows attackers to include arbitrary local files through PHP's include/require functions in the Vocal WordPress theme. Attackers can read sensitive files like configuration files or potentially execute code if they can upload malicious files. All WordPress sites using the Vocal theme version 1.12 or earlier are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to include arbitrary local files through PHP's include/require functions in the Vocal WordPress theme. Attackers can read sensitive files like configuration files or potentially execute code if they can upload malicious files. All WordPress sites using the Vocal theme version 1.12 or earlier are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

WordPress Vocal Theme

Versions: All versions up to and including 1.12

Operating Systems: Any OS running PHP

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress with Vocal theme installed and activated.

📦 What is this software?

Vocal by Axiomthemes

View all CVEs affecting Vocal →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

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

🟠

Likely Case

Sensitive file disclosure including database credentials, configuration files, and user data.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper file permissions and web server restrictions in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - WordPress themes are typically internet-facing and this vulnerability requires no authentication.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal WordPress installations could still be exploited by internal attackers.

🎯 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: Version after 1.12

Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/vocal/vulnerability/wordpress-vocal-theme-1-12-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Update Vocal theme to latest version via WordPress admin panel. 2. If update not available, remove the theme entirely. 3. Verify theme files are properly sanitized.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable theme

all

Switch to a different WordPress theme and deactivate/remove the Vocal theme

Restrict PHP include paths

linux

Configure PHP to restrict include/require paths to specific directories

php_admin_value open_basedir "/var/www/html:/tmp"

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file inclusion patterns
Restrict file permissions and implement strict access controls on sensitive files

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel for Vocal theme version 1.12 or earlier

Check Version:

Check WordPress admin Appearance > Themes or wp-content/themes/vocal/style.css version header

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify theme version is greater than 1.12 or theme is completely removed

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual include/require statements in PHP error logs
Requests with file path parameters like ?file=../../../etc/passwd

Network Indicators:

HTTP requests with file path traversal patterns in parameters

SIEM Query:

web.url:*file=* AND web.url:*../*

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-58946

CVSS v3 Score: 8.2 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-98

EPSS Score: 0.06% exploit probability (19th percentile)

Published: December 18, 2025

Last Updated: January 20, 2026

🔗 References

https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/vocal/vulnerability/wordpress-vocal-theme-1-12-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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