Plugin Name	The Aisle
Type of Vulnerability	Local File Inclusion
CVE Number	CVE-2025-67941
Urgency	High
CVE Publish Date	2026-01-18
Source URL	CVE-2025-67941

Urgent Advisory: Local File Inclusion (LFI) in The Aisle WordPress Theme (< 2.9.1) — Critical Steps for Site Owners

Author: Managed-WP Security Team
Date: 2026-01-18

A critical Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability has been identified in The Aisle WordPress theme, versions older than 2.9.1. Catalogued as CVE-2025-67941, this security flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to include and expose sensitive local files from affected sites. This comprehensive advisory details the risk assessment, potential exploitation methods, detection and mitigation strategies, and remediation guidance from the perspective of seasoned US-based WordPress security experts.

Table of Contents

• Overview of the Vulnerability
• Why This Vulnerability Demands Immediate Attention
• Technical Breakdown of LFI in WordPress Themes
• Potential Attack Scenarios and Implications
• Disclosure Timeline & Attribution
• Detection and Hunting Checklist
• Emergency Mitigation Steps
• WAF and Virtual Patching Recommendations
• Hardening and Recovery Procedures
• Verification and Safe Testing
• Operational Guidance for Agencies and Hosting Providers
• Managed-WP Free Plan for Instant Protection
• Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) and Hunting Tips
• Communication Best Practices for Clients and Stakeholders
• Final Remarks and Security Best Practices

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Overview of the Vulnerability

The Aisle WordPress theme versions prior to 2.9.1 suffer from a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to include local files via crafted HTTP requests. With a CVSSv3 base score near 8.1, the risk is classified as high. Successful exploitation could expose critical files such as wp-config.php, environment variables, logs, or backups — potentially leading to full site compromise.

If your website uses The Aisle theme and hasn’t been updated to 2.9.1 or newer, it is imperative to consider your website at risk and follow this guide for immediate action.

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Why This Vulnerability Demands Immediate Attention

LFI vulnerabilities are among the most exploitable flaws in WordPress ecosystems due to their capability to disclose sensitive data and precipitate further attacks:

• Exposure of database credentials, secret keys, and API tokens.
• Potential chain attacks culminating in remote code execution (RCE).
• Unauthenticated exploitation makes automated attacks highly likely after public disclosure.
• Threat actors can leverage disclosed information to compromise site integrity and customer trust.

Given the impact and ease of exploitation, this vulnerability must be treated as an urgent security incident.

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Technical Breakdown of LFI in WordPress Themes

LFI occurs when themes or plugins dynamically include files based on unsanitized user inputs. Common unsafe coding patterns include:

• Directly embedding user-supplied parameters into include or require statements without validation.
• Failing to constrain file paths to allowed directories.
• Allowing directory traversal strings (../) or PHP stream wrappers (e.g., php://filter) to manipulate file inclusion targets.

Attackers typically employ traversal payloads and encoding tricks to evade simplistic input filters, forcing the server to disclose otherwise protected files.

Warning: LFI is not limited to file reading. If attackers gain the ability to include files they can write or control, they may escalate to remote code execution.

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Potential Attack Scenarios and Implications

Organizations should prepare for the following attack scenarios:

1. Sensitive Data Leakage
   • Extraction of database credentials and secret keys from configuration files.
   • Access to backup and environment files revealing deployment secrets.
2. Database and Account Compromise
   • Using exposed credentials to access or manipulate the database.
   • Creation of unauthorized administrative accounts.
3. Remote Code Execution (RCE)
   • Inclusion of attacker-controlled files leads to arbitrary code execution.
   • Leveraging writable directories or log files to implant payloads.
4. Persistence and Lateral Movement
   • Installation of webshells and backdoors.
   • Cross-site contamination impacting other hosted assets.
5. Business Reputation and Compliance Risks
   • Data breaches, site defacement, and potential regulatory penalties.

This comprehensive threat landscape underscores the critical need for rapid remediation.

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Disclosure Timeline & Attribution

• Reporter: Tran Nguyen Bao Khanh (VCI – VNPT Cyber Immunity).
• Initial Report: 2025-10-28.
• Public Advisory Release: 2026-01-16.
• Vulnerable Product: The Aisle WordPress Theme.
• Affected Versions: All prior to 2.9.1.
• Patch Released: Version 2.9.1.
• CVE Identifier: CVE-2025-67941.
• Severity: High (CVSSv3 8.1).

Sites using customized or modified versions must ensure patches are fully tested and applied since custom code may reintroduce risk.

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Detection and Hunting Checklist

Security teams and site administrators should employ the following detection steps:

1. Verify Theme Version
   • Check the active or installed theme version via wp-admin or /wp-content/themes/theaisle/style.css.
2. Review Access and Error Logs
   • Look for URL patterns with directory traversal strings (../, %2e%2e%2f), suspicious parameters, or PHP stream wrappers.
   • Identify failed include errors in server error logs.
3. Scan for Suspicious Request Patterns
   • Search for repeated requests with encoded traversal and diverse user agents.
4. Inspect File System
   • Find recently modified or suspicious PHP files in themes, uploads, and plugin folders.
5. Identify Anomalous User Accounts or Content
   • Check for unauthorized administrator accounts or injected content in the database.
6. Run Vulnerability Scanners
   • Utilize managed security tools or scanners that detect this vulnerability.

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Emergency Mitigation Steps

Act immediately to reduce risk by following these prioritized steps:

1. Isolate Your Website
   • Consider temporarily restricting public access with maintenance mode or firewall rules.
2. Apply Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules
   • Block suspicious request patterns indicating LFI attempts (directory traversal, PHP stream wrappers, suspicious parameters).
3. Update The Aisle Theme
   • Upgrade to version 2.9.1 or later ASAP.
   • If an immediate update is impossible, rely on virtual patching and other mitigations in parallel.
4. Disable or Remove Unused Themes
   • Remove inactive or unused installations of The Aisle theme to minimize attack surface.
5. Harden File Permissions and Disable Risky Features
   • Set directories to 755 and files to 644; restrict wp-config.php permissions.
   • Define DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT and, if needed, DISALLOW_FILE_MODS in wp-config.php.
6. Rotate Credentials and Security Keys
   • Change database passwords, API keys, and WordPress salts immediately if exposure is suspected.
7. Perform Malware Scans and Forensics
   • Scan for webshells, unusual files, and review logs for suspicious activity.
8. Restore From Clean Backup if Needed
   • Recover from known-good backups taken before any suspicious activity.
9. Notify Stakeholders
   • Communicate transparently with users or customers about potential risks and remediation efforts.
10. Increase Monitoring Post-Incident
    • Extend log retention and observe site behavior closely for at least 30 days.

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WAF and Virtual Patching Recommendations

Virtual patching via your Web Application Firewall can offer immediate protection against exploitation until you can update the theme:

Detection Patterns to Block

• Directory traversal sequences (../, %2e%2e%2f)
• PHP stream wrappers like php:// and data:
• Suspicious query parameters often related to file includes (e.g., file, template, inc)
• Encoded or anomalous request payloads referencing sensitive files (wp-config.php, /etc/passwd)

Sample ModSecurity Rule (Conceptual)

# Block common LFI attack vectors on query and body params
SecRule REQUEST_URI|ARGS|ARGS_NAMES|REQUEST_BODY \
  "(?:\.\./|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e%2f|php://|data:|/etc/passwd|wp-config.php)" \
  "id:1000101,phase:2,deny,log,msg:'Blocked potential LFI exploit',severity:CRITICAL"

Example Nginx Lua Script Logic

if args or request_body contains "../" or "%2e%2e%2f" or "php://" or "wp-config.php" then
  return 403
end

Rule Implementation Notes

• Refine rules to apply only on relevant endpoints to reduce false positives.
• Whitelist safe inputs and track repeated suspicious attempts per IP for rate limiting.
• Log and alert on blocked attempts for incident response visibility.

Managed-WP customers benefit from proactive virtual patching and signature updates as part of our comprehensive defense-in-depth approach.

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Hardening and Recovery Procedures

Once immediate threats are contained, implement these steps for resilient security:

1. Patch and Update All Components
   • Upgrade The Aisle theme to 2.9.1 or higher.
   • Keep WordPress core, all plugins, and other themes current.
2. Remove or Deactivate Unnecessary Themes and Plugins
3. Harden PHP and File System Settings
   • Disable allow_url_include in PHP configuration.
   • Configure open_basedir to limit PHP file access.
   • Enforce strict file permissions and ownership.
4. Maintain Reliable Backups and Verify Restores
5. Rotate and Secure All Credentials and Keys
6. Restrict Access Controls
   • Enforce least privilege for WordPress user roles.
   • Deploy two-factor authentication on all admin accounts.
   • Limit wp-admin access by IP where feasible.
7. Enable Comprehensive Logging and Forward to SIEM
8. Continue Periodic Scanning and Monitoring
9. Conduct Post-Incident Review and Incorporate Lessons Learned

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Verification and Safe Testing

Verifying remediation without risk involves:

1. Confirming The Aisle theme reflects version 2.9.1 or later.
2. Testing in isolated staging environments with non-destructive probes.
3. Utilizing static code analysis or vulnerability scanners that do not execute exploit payloads.
4. Validating WAF/virtual patching blocks simulated attacker payloads but permits benign traffic.
5. Ensuring no residual malicious files or webshells exist.
6. Confirming all credential rotations have been correctly applied and verified.

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Operational Guidance for Agencies and Hosting Providers

For organizations managing multiple WordPress sites or clients, we recommend:

• Maintaining asset inventories with theme/plugin versions.
• Prioritizing patch deployment based on severity and client profile.
• Utilizing centralized update and patch management systems.
• Maintaining a WAF signature library and emergency playbooks for virtual patching.
• Providing managed incident response services including forensic support and credential rotation.
• Monitoring marketplace sources for theme integrity and advising clients accordingly.

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Managed-WP Free Plan for Instant Protection

Secure Your Site with Managed-WP’s Free Entry-Level Plan

If you’re currently running The Aisle theme and require immediate mitigations while you patch, our Managed-WP Free Plan offers essential protection, including a professionally maintained firewall, robust WAF, malware scanning, and risk-based blocking rules. Sign up to rapidly defend your site against exploitation attempts: https://my.wp-firewall.com/buy/wp-firewall-free-plan/

For enhanced capabilities like automated malware removal and virtual patching, explore our paid offerings designed for businesses seeking comprehensive WordPress security.

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Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) and Hunting Guidance

Log Patterns

• Requests showing encoded or clear directory traversal payloads (%2e%2e%2f, ../).
• Presence of php://, data:, or sensitive file references within query strings or POST data.
• Repeated access attempts with varying encodings or user agents targeting the same endpoints.

File System and Database Checks

• Unexpected PHP files found in uploads or theme directories.
• Recent modification timestamps on core or theme files.
• Unauthorized admin accounts in wp_users table.
• Suspicious cron jobs or scheduled events.

Command Line Examples (Systems Admin Only)

# Search logs for traversal payloads
grep -i -E "%2e%2e%2f|\.\./|php://|wp-config.php" /var/log/nginx/access.log* /var/log/apache2/access.log*

# Find recent PHP files in uploads directory
find /var/www/html/wp-content/uploads -type f -name '*.php' -mtime -30 -print

# Locate recently changed files in The Aisle theme
find /var/www/html/wp-content/themes/theaisle -type f -mtime -30 -print

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Communication Best Practices for Clients and Stakeholders

Transparency is critical in incident response. Ensure your communications:

• Clearly identify affected users (websites running The Aisle theme < 2.9.1).
• Explain the nature and risk of the vulnerability in straightforward terms.
• Outline immediate steps taken, such as applying firewall rules and monitoring.
• Provide clear remediation timelines and support channels.
• Offer assistance for patching, cleanup, or account recovery where applicable.

Proactive communication strengthens trust and reduces confusion.

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Final Remarks

• Local File Inclusion is a critical flaw enabling information disclosure and potential full site compromise.
• Updating the vulnerable theme to version 2.9.1 or later remains the essential remediation.
• Virtual patching through a managed WAF is the most effective immediate defense during patch rollouts.
• Post-incident, thorough investigation, credential rotation, and long-term hardening are vital to prevent recurrence.

Managed-WP’s security experts are ready to support your organization through every phase—from rapid mitigation to full recovery and ongoing protection.

Protect your WordPress site today. Don’t wait. Treat LFI vulnerabilities with the highest priority.

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