CVE-2025-53441 in Greeny Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/18/2025
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Greeny greeny allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Greeny: from n/a through <= 2.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2025
The CVE-2025-53441 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw in the axiomthemes Greeny greeny WordPress theme that enables attackers to manipulate include/require statements through improper filename control. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-88 category of Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command, specifically manifesting as a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. The flaw exists in the theme's handling of user-supplied input within include/require statements, creating an attack vector that bypasses normal security controls and allows for arbitrary file inclusion from remote servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the theme's failure to properly validate and sanitize filename parameters before incorporating them into PHP include/require directives. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that manipulate the filename parameter to point to remote files hosted on attacker-controlled servers. When the vulnerable theme processes these parameters, it executes the remote PHP code, potentially allowing full system compromise. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Greeny theme from the initial release through version 2.6, indicating a long-standing flaw that has not been properly addressed in the development cycle. This represents a classic LFI vulnerability that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code, read sensitive files, or establish persistent access to the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and potentially gain complete control over the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability enables attackers to include malicious PHP files from remote servers, allowing them to execute commands on the target system with the privileges of the web server process. This can lead to data theft, defacement, or the installation of backdoors that maintain persistence. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction, as the vulnerability can be exploited through automated scanning tools that target known vulnerable WordPress themes. Security frameworks such as the MITRE ATT&CK framework categorize this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected Greeny theme to version 2.7 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious filename parameters from being processed by include/require statements. The use of allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives should be disabled in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components of the web application stack. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when developing web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could be leveraged to establish a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure.