CVE-2025-58949
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local PHP files through improper filename control in the Spock WordPress theme. It enables PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) which can lead to sensitive information disclosure or code execution. All WordPress sites using Spock theme version 1.17 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- axiomthemes Spock WordPress theme
📦 What is this software?
Spock by Axiomthemes
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise through LFI to Remote Code Execution (RCE) chain, potentially allowing complete control of the web server and underlying system.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure including configuration files, database credentials, and user data, potentially leading to further attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and web server hardening, potentially only allowing read access to non-sensitive files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple path traversal techniques can exploit this vulnerability. Public exploit code is available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: >1.17
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/spock/vulnerability/wordpress-spock-theme-1-17-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Check if Spock theme update is available. 4. Update to latest version (>1.17). 5. Clear cache if using caching plugins.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allTemporarily switch to default WordPress theme until patch is applied
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
Restrict file access
linuxImplement web server restrictions to prevent directory traversal
# Apache: Add to .htaccess
<FilesMatch "\.(php|inc)$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
# Nginx: Add to server block
location ~ \.php$ {
try_files $uri =404;
fastcgi_param PHP_ADMIN_VALUE "open_basedir=/var/www/html";
}
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block LFI patterns and path traversal attempts
- Apply strict file permissions and disable PHP execution in upload directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes for Spock theme version. If version is 1.17 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp theme list --name=spock --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Spock theme version is >1.17 in WordPress admin panel and test LFI payloads return 404/403 errors instead of file contents.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' patterns targeting PHP files
- Unusual file access patterns in web server logs
- Failed attempts to access sensitive system files
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with path traversal sequences in parameters
- Unusual file extensions in URL parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_access.log" AND (url="*../*" OR url="*..%2f*" OR url="*..%5c*") AND (url="*.php*" OR url="*.inc*")