CVE-2025-54003 in Depot Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/22/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Mikado-Themes Depot depot allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Depot: from n/a through <= 1.16.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2026
The CVE-2025-54003 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw that specifically targets the Mikado-Themes Depot theme version 1.16 and earlier. This vulnerability manifests through improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the theme's codebase, allowing attackers to manipulate file inclusion directives and potentially access sensitive system resources or execute malicious payloads.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of CWE-98 and CWE-89, representing both improper control of a resource through filename manipulation and improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The technical implementation involves the theme's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that gets directly incorporated into PHP include/require statements. When an attacker supplies a malicious filename parameter, the system processes this input without adequate security checks, potentially allowing the inclusion of remote files or local system files that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited. Attackers can leverage this flaw to include malicious PHP scripts hosted on remote servers, effectively turning the compromised WordPress installation into a backdoor for further attacks. The vulnerability also enables local file inclusion attacks, where attackers might access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources that could facilitate privilege escalation or data exfiltration. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for legitimate credentials usage.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires minimal prerequisites, as it relies on the theme's inherent design flaw rather than complex attack vectors. The affected version range of Depot through 1.16 indicates a widespread exposure, as many WordPress installations may be running vulnerable versions of this theme. Organizations using Mikado-Themes Depot version 1.16 or earlier face significant risk, particularly those with publicly accessible WordPress installations. The vulnerability's persistence in older versions suggests that proper input validation mechanisms were either absent or inadequately implemented in the theme's development lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-54003 should focus on immediate version upgrades to the patched Depot theme, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. System administrators should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers, including server-side sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before they are processed in include/require statements. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. The implementation of PHP's open_basedir directive and disabling of remote file inclusion features can serve as temporary workarounds while permanent patches are deployed. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious file inclusion patterns and unauthorized access attempts to system resources, as these activities often precede successful exploitation of such vulnerabilities.