CVE-2025-69067
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a PHP Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the AncoraThemes Tails WordPress theme. Attackers can exploit improper filename control in include/require statements to read sensitive files on the server. All WordPress sites using Tails theme version 1.4.12 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- AncoraThemes Tails WordPress Theme
⚠️ 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.
- 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 via reading sensitive files like /etc/passwd, database credentials, or session files, potentially leading to remote code execution.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of sensitive server files, configuration files, or source code, which could enable further attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file permissions are properly configured and sensitive files are not accessible via web user.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP requests with crafted parameters can trigger the vulnerability. Public exploit details are available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4.13 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/tails/vulnerability/wordpress-tails-theme-1-4-12-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Tails theme to version 1.4.13 or later via WordPress admin panel. 2. Alternatively, download updated theme from WordPress repository or vendor. 3. Replace theme files manually if auto-update fails.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Tails Theme
allSwitch to a different WordPress theme until patched
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
wp theme deactivate tails
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock requests with suspicious file path patterns
ModSecurity rule: SecRule ARGS "\.\./" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt'"
WAF rule to block ../ patterns in URL parameters
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file permissions (chmod 600 for sensitive files, chmod 755 for web directories)
- Deploy web application firewall with LFI detection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Appearance > Themes for Tails theme version. If version is 1.4.12 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp theme list --name=tails --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Tails theme version is 1.4.13 or later in WordPress admin panel. Test with known exploit payloads to confirm they no longer work.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with ../ patterns in parameters
- Access to sensitive file paths in web logs
- 404 errors for non-existent theme files with path traversal
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET/POST requests with file path parameters like ?file=../../../etc/passwd
- Unusual file extensions in theme-related requests
SIEM Query:
source="web_access.log" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*..\\*" OR params="*file=*" AND params="*../*")