CVE-2025-69034: 
WordPress vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-69034 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Mikado-Themes (Qode Interactive) Lekker WordPress theme, classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). It affects all versions of the Lekker theme through version 1.8 and was published on December 30, 2025, with discovery credited to researcher 'Bonds' on February 28, 2025. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (High) (Patchstack).

The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements within the Lekker theme (CWE-98). An attacker can manipulate filename inputs to cause the application to include arbitrary local PHP files from the server's filesystem, bypassing intended access controls. The flaw is exploitable over the network without requiring user interaction, though the attack complexity is rated High, suggesting some preconditions or environmental factors must be met. The vulnerability was reported to Patchstack's VDP program and assigned PSID 32bf907abeed (Patchstack).

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to include and execute arbitrary PHP files from the local server filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php (which contains database credentials), leading to full database compromise. Depending on server configuration, this could escalate to remote code execution if an attacker can control file contents (e.g., via log poisoning or uploaded files). The overall impact spans high confidentiality, integrity, and availability loss on the affected WordPress installation (Patchstack).

As of the disclosure date, no public proof-of-concept exploit code has been identified, and there is no confirmed evidence of in-the-wild exploitation. The EPSS score is approximately 0.053%, indicating a low but non-negligible probability of exploitation in the near term. The vulnerability is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Patchstack notes that vulnerabilities of this class and CVSS score are frequently targeted in mass-exploit campaigns against WordPress sites (Patchstack).

1. Reconnaissance: Identify WordPress sites using the Lekker theme (version ≤ 1.8) via passive scanning tools (e.g., WPScan, Shodan) or by inspecting theme metadata in page source (/wp-content/themes/lekker/style.css).
2. Identify vulnerable parameter: Locate theme functionality that accepts a filename or path parameter passed to a PHP include/require statement — typically exposed via AJAX handlers, template loaders, or shortcode callbacks.
3. Craft malicious request: Send an HTTP request (GET or POST) to the vulnerable endpoint with a manipulated filename parameter pointing to a sensitive local file (e.g., ../../../../wp-config.php or /etc/passwd).
4. Extract sensitive data: Review the server response for included file contents, such as database credentials from wp-config.php.
5. Escalate to code execution (optional): If file upload is possible, upload a PHP web shell to a known path, then use the LFI to include and execute it, achieving remote code execution on the server (Patchstack).

• Network: Unusual HTTP requests to WordPress AJAX endpoints or theme-specific URLs containing path traversal sequences (e.g., ../, %2e%2e%2f) in filename parameters.
• Logs: WordPress or web server access logs showing requests with encoded traversal strings targeting theme endpoints; repeated 200 responses to requests with suspicious file= or similar parameters.
• File System: Unexpected PHP files or web shells in the WordPress uploads directory (/wp-content/uploads/) or theme directory; modification timestamps on theme files inconsistent with last update.
• Process: Unusual child processes spawned by the web server process (e.g., bash, curl, wget) indicating potential code execution following LFI exploitation.

No official patch from Mikado-Themes/Qode Interactive was available as of the disclosure date; users should monitor the theme's update channel and upgrade to a version above 1.8 as soon as one is released. As an interim measure, Patchstack has issued a virtual patching/mitigation rule for subscribers to block exploitation attempts. Additional workarounds include disabling the Lekker theme if not essential, ensuring allow_url_include = Off in php.ini, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block path traversal patterns, and restricting file inclusion to whitelisted paths at the application level (Patchstack).

The vulnerability was included in Wordfence's weekly WordPress vulnerability report covering December 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026, indicating broad awareness within the WordPress security community. Patchstack, which coordinated disclosure, classified it as high priority and noted its potential for use in mass-exploit campaigns. No significant vendor statement from Mikado-Themes or broader media coverage has been identified beyond standard vulnerability database entries.