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Iona WordPress Theme EUVDEUVD-2025-210196

| CVE-2025-69116 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 Iona theme
  2. Delivery
    Send crafted HTTP request with path parameter
  3. Exploit
    Bypass theme input filtering
  4. Execution
    PHP include() loads attacker-chosen file
  5. Persist
    Read wp-config.php or execute injected PHP
  6. Impact
    Steal DB credentials or achieve RCE

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

Exploitation requires the WordPress site to have the Iona theme by ThemeREX installed and active at version 1.0.8 or earlier, and the attacker must be able to reach the vulnerable theme endpoint over HTTP/HTTPS (no authentication or user interaction needed per CVSS PR:N/UI:N). The CVSS AC:H rating indicates additional non-default conditions limit reliable exploitation - likely knowledge of the absolute server path to a target file, a specific PHP/WordPress configuration that permits the inclusion sink to resolve attacker input, or stream-wrapper availability (e.g., phar://, php://filter) - and the specific vulnerable parameter is not enumerated in the public CVE description, so defenders should treat the Patchstack advisory as the authoritative source for the exact sink.

Impact

The CVSS 3.1 vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H indicates a network-reachable, unauthenticated bug with no user interaction but HIGH attack complexity - meaning successful exploitation depends on conditions outside the attacker's direct control (e.g., specific server configuration, knowledge of internal paths, or race-like preconditions). The full C:H/I:H/A:H triad reflects the worst-case LFI outcome where included files can lead to code execution or sensitive data exposure. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV, EPSS data was not provided, and no public proof-of-concept has been identified at the time of analysis, suggesting opportunistic mass exploitation is less likely than targeted abuse against known Iona deployments. Defenders should treat the AC:H rating with caution - Patchstack typically validates exploitability before publication, so the high complexity does not mean the issue is theoretical.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An unauthenticated remote attacker enumerates WordPress sites running the Iona theme via fingerprinting, then sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable theme endpoint with a manipulated file-path parameter (e.g., traversal sequences or a PHP stream wrapper) that gets passed into a PHP include() call. The server returns or executes the attacker-chosen file, allowing read of wp-config.php to steal database credentials and secret keys, or - if combined with a writable log/session file or phar:// gadget - full PHP code execution as the web server user. No public POC was identified at time of analysis, but Patchstack-tracked LFIs in WordPress themes are frequently reproduced shortly after disclosure.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.4% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Jun 17, 2026

Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in the Iona WordPress theme versions 1.0.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to coerce the PHP application into including arbitrary local files, enabling source code disclosure and potentially full remote code execution. Reported by Patchstack and tracked as EUVD-2025-210196, the flaw is rated CVSS 8.1 (High) despite high attack complexity, with no public exploit identified at time of analysis.

RemediationAI

Upstream fix available per Patchstack advisory; a released patched version is not independently confirmed in the provided data, so administrators should consult the Patchstack advisory (https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/theme/iona/vulnerability/wordpress-iona-theme-1-0-8-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability) and the ThemeREX vendor portal for the latest Iona release above 1.0.8 and update immediately. Until a confirmed patched version is installed, compensating controls include deactivating the Iona theme and switching to a maintained theme (trade-off: visual/site-design regression), placing a WAF rule (e.g., Patchstack mU+ vPatch, Wordfence) in front of the site to block path-traversal sequences such as ../, null bytes, and php:// wrappers in query parameters (trade-off: may break legitimate requests that legitimately pass file paths), and hardening php.ini with open_basedir restrictions and allow_url_include=Off plus disabling the file:// and phar:// stream wrappers where unused (trade-off: may break plugins relying on those wrappers).

Affected VersionsENISA

Iona n/a ≤1.0.8

Affected Packages

euvd iona 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

Iona is a commercial WordPress theme distributed by ThemeREX (CPE cpe:2.3:a:themerex:iona). The weakness is classified as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), commonly known as PHP Remote/Local File Inclusion. This class of bug occurs when user-controlled input is passed to PHP's include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() statements without proper sanitization or path validation, allowing an attacker to manipulate which file the PHP interpreter loads and executes. In WordPress themes this typically surfaces through AJAX endpoints, template loader parameters, or shortcode handlers that accept a filename or path component from the request.

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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 8.1 HIGH

Network-reachable unauthenticated LFI with no UI; AC:H reflects path-knowledge or config dependency; full CIA impact since included files can yield code execution.

3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0 AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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 Iona <= 1.0.8 versions.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

The Iona WordPress theme (versions 1.0.8 and earlier) contains a high-severity vulnerability allowing unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive files and potentially execute code on affected websites. Any organization running WordPress with this theme is immediately at risk of data breach, source code theft, and operational takeover. Urgent remediation is required.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations: (1) Disable and replace Iona theme immediately; (2) Deploy WAF rules to block path traversal sequences (../, ..\, encoded variants); (3) Restrict web server file permissions to limit accessible directories; (4) Enable file access logging on sensitive directories; (5) Monitor web server logs for LFI attack indicators (unusual file path requests).

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.4%
Top 65% 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 0.4%
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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