CVE-2025-69081
📋 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 Hope theme (charity-is-hope) installations, potentially leading to sensitive file disclosure or code execution. All users running Hope theme versions up to 3.0.0 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Hope theme (charity-is-hope)
⚠️ 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
Remote code execution leading to complete server compromise, data theft, and website defacement
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure (configuration files, database credentials) and limited code execution
If Mitigated
No impact if proper file permissions and web server configurations prevent file inclusion
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP requests can trigger the vulnerability; exploit code is publicly available
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 3.0.0
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/theme/charity-is-hope/vulnerability/wordpress-hope-theme-3-0-0-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Hope theme to latest version via WordPress admin panel. 2. If update not available, remove theme and replace with secure alternative. 3. Verify theme files are properly sanitized.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable theme
allTemporarily switch to default WordPress theme to mitigate risk
wp theme activate twentytwentyfour
wp theme delete hope
Restrict PHP file operations
linuxConfigure PHP to disable dangerous functions and restrict file access
Add to php.ini: disable_functions = include,require,include_once,require_once
Add to .htaccess: php_flag allow_url_include off
🧯 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 directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel for Hope theme version; if version is 3.0.0 or earlier, system is vulnerableCheck Version:
wp theme list --field=name,status,version | grep hopeVerify Fix Applied:
Verify theme version is updated beyond 3.0.0 and test file inclusion attempts return errors instead of file contents📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in PHP error logs
- HTTP requests with file inclusion parameters like ?file=../../etc/passwd
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../) to theme files
- Abnormal file downloads from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="*hope*" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*file=*" OR uri="*include=*"))