Cyber Resilience

CVE-2025-69040

High

Published: 22 January 2026

Published
22 January 2026
Modified
27 April 2026
KEV Added
—
Patch
—
CVSS Score v3.1 8.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.0040 32.0th percentile
Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2025-69040 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 32.0th 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).

Deeper analysis

CVE-2025-69040 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement vulnerability, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion, in the goalthemes Bfres WordPress theme. The flaw enables PHP Local File Inclusion and affects Bfres versions from n/a through 1.2.1. It is associated with CWE-98 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 network accessibility, high attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network. Successful exploitation allows PHP Local File Inclusion, potentially enabling attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files on the server, leading to unauthorized access, data disclosure, or code execution depending on the targeted files and server configuration.

Mitigation details are available in the Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/bfres/vulnerability/wordpress-bfres-theme-1-2-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve, which covers the vulnerability in the Bfres WordPress theme version 1.2.1.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

A05:2025 Injection

EU & UK References

Vulnerability details

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in goalthemes Bfres bfres allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Bfres: from n/a through <= 1.2.1.

CWE(s)
CWE-98

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1005 Data from Local System Collection
Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems, configuration files, local databases, virtual machine files, or process memory, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.
attack.mitre.org →
Why these techniques?

T1190 directly matches exploitation of a public-facing WordPress theme vulnerability. T1005 is facilitated by LFI enabling arbitrary local file inclusion for data disclosure.

Confidence: HIGH · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2025-60057Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-58940Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-22476Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-67980Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-69034Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-58225Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-22427Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-69402Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-64205Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-28013Shared CWE-98

Affected Assets

Mitigating Controls

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match
prevent

Directly remediates the specific PHP Local File Inclusion flaw in the Bfres WordPress theme by applying patches or removing vulnerable versions up to 1.2.1.

SI-10 Information Input Validation good match
prevent

Requires validation of inputs controlling PHP include/require filenames to block path traversal and arbitrary local file inclusion attempts.

CM-6 Configuration Settings partial match
prevent

Enforces secure PHP configuration settings like open_basedir and disabling allow_url_include to restrict file access even if code flaws persist.

References