CVE-2025-67937
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through improper filename control in PHP include/require statements. It affects WordPress sites using the Hendon theme from Mikado-Themes. Attackers can potentially read sensitive files or execute arbitrary code.
💻 Affected Systems
- Mikado-Themes Hendon WordPress Theme
📦 What is this software?
Hendon by Qodeinteractive
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or website defacement.
Likely Case
Local file inclusion allowing reading of sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other server files.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file permissions are properly configured and sensitive files are outside web root.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP requests can trigger the vulnerability. Public exploit details are available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.7
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/hendon/vulnerability/wordpress-hendon-theme-1-7-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes. 3. Update Hendon theme to version 1.7 or later. 4. Clear any caching plugins or server caches.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allSwitch to a different WordPress theme until patched
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
wp theme deactivate hendon
Restrict file inclusion
linuxModify PHP configuration to restrict file inclusion paths
php_admin_value open_basedir "/var/www/html:/tmp"
php_admin_value allow_url_include Off
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file inclusion patterns
- Restrict file permissions and move sensitive files outside web root directory
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress theme version in Appearance > Themes or use: wp theme list --field=name,status,version | grep hendonCheck Version:
wp theme list --field=name,version | grep hendonVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Hendon theme version is 1.7 or higher in WordPress admin or via: wp theme list --field=name,version | grep hendon📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file paths in PHP error logs
- Multiple requests to theme files with path traversal parameters
- HTTP 200 responses to requests with ../ patterns
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing ../ patterns to theme PHP files
- Unusual file extensions in URL parameters
SIEM Query:
source="*access.log*" AND (url="*hendon*" AND (url="*../*" OR url="*..\\*" OR url="*php://*"))