CVE-2025-69037
Published: 22 January 2026
Summary
CVE-2025-69037 is a high-severity PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98) vulnerability. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 38.1th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Directly mitigates the CVE by identifying, reporting, and correcting the specific flaw in the Pippo theme's PHP include/require handling.
Enforces validation of user-supplied filenames used in PHP include/require statements to prevent local file inclusion attacks.
Restricts information inputs to only whitelisted or safe filenames/paths for PHP include operations, blocking arbitrary local file inclusion.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
LFI vulnerability in public-facing WordPress theme enables exploitation of public-facing application (T1190) and facilitates unauthorized access to data from local system via file inclusion (T1005).
NVD Description
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in goalthemes Pippo pippo allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Pippo: from n/a through <= 1.2.3.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-69037 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement vulnerability in PHP programs, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion but enabling PHP Local File Inclusion (CWE-98). It affects the goalthemes Pippo WordPress theme in all versions from n/a through 1.2.3. The vulnerability was published on 2026-01-22 and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity due to significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely over the network, requiring high attack complexity but no privileges or user interaction. Successful exploitation allows local file inclusion, enabling attackers to include and potentially execute arbitrary local PHP files on the server, leading to unauthorized access, data disclosure, or further compromise depending on the included files.
The Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/pippo/vulnerability/wordpress-pippo-theme-1-2-3-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve documents this Local File Inclusion vulnerability specifically in the WordPress Pippo theme version 1.2.3 and provides guidance on mitigation for affected installations.
Details
- CWE(s)