Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2025-69078 affects the Malta WordPress theme by AncoraThemes through version 1.3.3. It can allow local file inclusion, meaning an attacker may make the site load unintended server files. The CVSS score is 8.1, rated high. No public source provided confirms active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for internet-facing WordPress sites using Malta. The potential impact is severe, but the available evidence does not confirm exploitation in the wild. Focus on identifying affected sites and following vendor remediation guidance.
Technical view
The issue is classified as CWE-98: improper control of filename for PHP include/require statements. The CVE describes PHP Local File Inclusion in AncoraThemes Malta versions up to 1.3.3. The CVSS vector indicates network attackability, no privileges, no user interaction, high complexity, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites using the AncoraThemes Malta theme at version 1.3.3 or earlier. The source bundle does not identify affected plugins, other themes, or hosted services.
Exploitation context
The vulnerability is remotely reachable according to the CVSS vector, but attack complexity is high. The provided sources do not state public exploit availability or known active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked as KEV.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Patchstack database entry. The description names Local File Inclusion, while the CWE label references PHP Remote File Inclusion terminology. No patch version, proof of exploitation, or detailed vulnerable parameter is provided in the supplied sources.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Malta theme and its version.
- Prioritize sites running Malta version 1.3.3 or earlier.
- Check AncoraThemes and Patchstack guidance for an available fixed version or workaround.
- If no fix is available, consider disabling or replacing the theme.
- Restrict administrative access and review web server logs for suspicious file inclusion patterns.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether the Malta theme is installed on each WordPress site.
- Record the installed theme version and compare it to 1.3.3 or earlier.
- Review vendor and Patchstack pages for updated remediation status.
- Check whether compensating controls monitor abnormal file access or PHP include behavior.
- Document affected assets, owners, and remediation decisions.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-98: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2025-69078 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.25.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.