CVE-2025-69065 in Snow Mountain Theme Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/22/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes Snow Mountain snowmountain allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Snow Mountain: from n/a through <= 1.4.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2026
The CVE-2025-69065 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw that exploits improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements within the AncoraThemes Snow Mountain theme. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-88 category for Improper Control of a Resource Through SQL Injection and is classified as a Remote Code Execution vector through file inclusion attacks. The flaw exists in the snowmountain theme version 1.4.3 and earlier, making it a persistent risk for WordPress installations that utilize this specific theme. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the include/require statement by injecting malicious filenames that can point to remote servers or local files, enabling arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the theme's code fails to properly validate or sanitize user input that is subsequently used in PHP include/require functions. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs or parameters that get passed to the vulnerable include statement, potentially allowing them to load remote files or local system files. The flaw specifically targets the theme's handling of filename parameters, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into the include path without adequate sanitization or validation. This creates a dangerous condition where an attacker can manipulate the execution flow to load unintended PHP files, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. When exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the WordPress theme layer, which often runs with elevated privileges and can provide attackers with access to sensitive system information and files. Organizations using affected versions of the snowmountain theme face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-69065 should prioritize immediate theme updates to version 1.4.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper filename control issue. System administrators should also implement input validation measures and sanitize all user-supplied parameters before they are used in include/require statements. Additionally, configuring PHP settings to disable remote file inclusion through the allow_url_include directive can provide an additional layer of protection. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, and represents a common vector for initial compromise in web application attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected theme and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in other components of their web infrastructure.