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Top Dog EUVDEUVD-2025-210172

| CVE-2025-69149 HIGH
PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98)
2026-06-16 Patchstack
8.1
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: Patchstack
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Identify WordPress site running Top Dog ≤1.0.5
  2. Delivery
    Probe theme endpoint for file/template parameter
  3. Exploit
    Seed payload into writable local sink (log/session/upload)
  4. Execution
    Send traversal request triggering PHP include
  5. Persist
    Execute attacker PHP as web user
  6. Impact
    Read wp-config.php and pivot to database/admin

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling File inclusion prevention, allowlisting
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Command and Control

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Target must be a WordPress site with the ThemeRex Top Dog theme installed and active at version 1.0.5 or earlier; the vulnerable include path must be reachable over HTTP(S) without authentication (PR:N, UI:N). The CVSS AC:H value indicates exploitation is gated by non-default factors - likely knowledge of the specific theme parameter that flows into the include sink and successful traversal to a file whose content PHP will interpret; achieving the I:H/A:H impact additionally requires a writable or attacker-influenceable local file (log, session, upload) to convert disclosure into code execution. Defenders should treat sites that have disabled file uploads, restricted open_basedir, or disabled the affected theme template as materially lower risk.

Impact

The CVSS 8.1 score with vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H signals a network-reachable, unauthenticated bug with full CIA impact but elevated attack complexity - the AC:H value suggests non-trivial preconditions (a specific request shape, race, or environmental dependency) rather than a turnkey exploit. There is no CISA KEV listing and no public exploit identified at time of analysis, and the absence of an EPSS score in the provided data means widespread-exploitation likelihood cannot be quantified here. The 'I:H/A:H' impact bits are notable for a pure LFI: they imply the analyst expects the inclusion to be leveraged into code execution (e.g., via log poisoning, session files, or uploaded media), which should be verified against the Patchstack advisory because raw LFI without an execution sink typically warrants only C:H. Net assessment: a credible high-severity risk for any site running the affected theme, but prioritization below KEV-listed WordPress bugs unless Patchstack publishes evidence of in-the-wild abuse.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An unauthenticated attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable Top Dog theme endpoint with a manipulated file/template parameter containing path traversal sequences, causing the PHP include statement to load an attacker-chosen local file such as wp-config.php (for database credentials) or a previously poisoned log/session/upload file containing PHP payloads. Because CVSS reports I:H/A:H, a realistic chain pivots the inclusion into code execution by combining it with a writable local sink (e.g., poisoned access log, image with embedded PHP, /tmp session). No public exploit identified at time of analysis, and the AC:H rating implies the attacker must satisfy a specific condition (parameter discovery, traversal depth, or content seeding) before the inclusion succeeds.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.5% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Jun 16, 2026

Unauthenticated local file inclusion in the ThemeRex Top Dog WordPress theme (versions <=1.0.5) allows remote attackers to coerce the application into including arbitrary local PHP files, potentially leading to sensitive data disclosure or code execution if a writable/loggable file can be referenced. The flaw is reachable without authentication or user interaction over the network, though CVSS marks attack complexity as high; no public exploit identified at time of analysis and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV.

RemediationAI

No vendor-released patched version was provided in the supplied intelligence - consult the Patchstack advisory (https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/theme/top-dog/vulnerability/wordpress-top-dog-theme-1-0-5-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability) for the fixed Top Dog release and upgrade to any version above 1.0.5 once published. Until a patched theme version is installed, deactivate the Top Dog theme and switch to a safe default theme, or place a WAF rule (Patchstack mitigation, Wordfence, ModSecurity OWASP CRS rule 930100/930110) in front of the site to block path-traversal sequences (../, %2e%2e, null bytes, php://, file://) on requests targeting theme endpoints; the trade-off is that aggressive traversal filtering can break legitimate file-path query parameters used by other plugins. Additionally restrict PHP open_basedir and disable allow_url_include in php.ini to reduce post-inclusion impact, accepting that open_basedir can break plugins that legitimately read outside the document root.

Affected VersionsENISA

Top Dog n/a ≤1.0.5

Affected Packages

euvd top_dog no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Top Dog is a commercial WordPress theme published by ThemeRex (CPE cpe:2.3:a:themerex:top_dog). The root cause is CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in a PHP Program), the classic 'PHP File Inclusion' weakness in which user-controlled input flows into a PHP include/require/include_once/require_once call without sufficient allowlist validation or path normalization. In WordPress themes this pattern typically appears in template loaders, AJAX handlers, or shortcode dispatchers that accept a 'view', 'template', 'file', or similar parameter and concatenate it into an include path, allowing traversal sequences or absolute paths to reach files outside the intended directory.

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Severity by source

Vendor (Patchstack) PRIMARY 8.1 HIGH
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 7.0 HIGH

Network-reachable unauthenticated LFI (AV:N/PR:N/UI:N) with AC:H for parameter and sink prerequisites; full C:H for arbitrary file read, but I/A only L absent a confirmed RCE sink.

3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L
4.0 AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (Patchstack).

CVSS VectorVendor: Patchstack

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Top Dog <= 1.0.5 versions.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

The ThemeRex Top Dog WordPress theme (version 1.0.5 and earlier) contains a vulnerability enabling unauthorized access to sensitive files on affected websites. While no public exploit identified at time of analysis, the vulnerability is network-accessible and requires no authentication, creating significant risk of intellectual property theft or website compromise for organizations using this theme.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Deactivate the vulnerable theme or replace with an actively maintained alternative. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules blocking local file inclusion patterns. Restrict WordPress administrative interfaces via IP allowlisting or VPN gateway. Enable comprehensive web server access logging to detect and alert on exploitation attempts. Reduce server file permissions following principle of least privilege; disable unnecessary PHP stream wrappers in php.ini if not required.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.5%
Top 63% exploitable
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.5%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

40
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +40
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities occur when an application accepts user-controlled input to specify which file should be loaded or executed, typically through functions like PHP's `include()`, `require()`, or `fopen()`.

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

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