CVE-2025-69070 in Tornados 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 Tornados tornados allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Tornados: from n/a through <= 2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2026
The CVE-2025-69070 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw within the AncoraThemes Tornados tornados WordPress theme, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through version 2.1. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of improper control of filename for include/require statements, a well-documented security weakness that has been consistently categorized as CWE-98 by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into PHP include or require statements without proper validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the theme's failure to properly validate or sanitize filename parameters that are used in include/require operations. When an attacker can manipulate these parameters through user input, they can potentially load and execute arbitrary PHP files from remote locations or local system paths. This weakness specifically manifests in the theme's handling of file inclusion mechanisms, where the application accepts user-provided data and directly incorporates it into server-side include statements. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to the server's file system, leading to full system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1505.003 for "Obfuscated Files or Information" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," as attackers can leverage such weaknesses to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further exploitation within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially upload malicious files, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access through the compromised theme. The affected version range suggests that this flaw has existed for an extended period, leaving many WordPress installations vulnerable to attack. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of WordPress themes, as they often have elevated privileges and access to the server's file system, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to gain deeper system access. This weakness can be exploited by attackers who have access to the WordPress admin panel or through other attack vectors that allow them to inject malicious parameters into the theme's include functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-69070 should focus on immediate patching of the affected theme version, as the vendor has likely released a security update to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that any user-supplied data passed to include/require statements undergoes strict validation before being processed. Security configurations should be reviewed to restrict file inclusion operations to predefined, trusted paths only. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when developing and deploying PHP applications. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress installations, including theme and plugin reviews, to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The incident underscores the critical need for maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls to protect against known vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.