CVE-2025-69040
Published: 22 January 2026
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 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 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.
Requires validation of inputs controlling PHP include/require filenames to block path traversal and arbitrary local file inclusion attempts.
Enforces secure PHP configuration settings like open_basedir and disabling allow_url_include to restrict file access even if code flaws persist.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
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.
NVD Description
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.
Deeper analysisAI
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.
Details
- CWE(s)