Local File Inclusion in Powerlift WordPress Theme (< 3.2.1) — What Site Owners Must Do Right Now

TL;DR
A high-severity Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability (CVE-2025-67940, CVSS 8.1) affects the Powerlift WordPress theme in versions earlier than 3.2.1. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to force the theme to include and display files from the local filesystem. This can expose sensitive files such as wp-config.php, environment files, or logs — and in some configurations lead to code execution via log poisoning or wrapper abuse. If you run the Powerlift theme and cannot update immediately, apply virtual patches or WAF-based mitigation, restrict access to sensitive files, and follow the remediation checklist below.

I write as a Hong Kong–based web security specialist with practical experience responding to WordPress incidents across the region. The guidance below is focused, action-oriented and suitable for site owners, hosting teams and security engineers in a production environment.

Background — the vulnerability in short

• A Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affects Powerlift theme versions older than 3.2.1. The issue allows an unauthenticated attacker to control an include path and cause the application to load local files.
• Assigned CVE-2025-67940 with CVSS 8.1 (High), disclosed January 2026.
• Impact ranges from exposure of configuration and secrets (for example wp-config.php) to possible remote code execution when combined with other factors (log poisoning, writable upload directories, php:// wrapper abuse).

What is Local File Inclusion (LFI)?

Local File Inclusion is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to force an application to include files from the local filesystem. Typical consequences include:

• Disclosure of sensitive files (wp-config.php, .env, private keys)
• Leakage of user data and database credentials
• File-system reconnaissance and path enumeration
• Potential escalation to RCE via log poisoning, php:// wrappers, or uploaded PHP files

How an attacker could exploit the Powerlift LFI

Conceptual attack flow (no exploit code):

1. Reconnaissance: Scanning for sites using the Powerlift theme and probing parameters that accept file-like values (e.g., file, template, include).
2. Local file read: Using path traversal sequences (../ or encoded equivalents) to retrieve files such as wp-config.php or /etc/passwd.
3. Log poisoning → RCE: Injecting PHP into logs (via headers or request URIs) and including those logs via LFI to achieve code execution.
4. Upload + include: Uploading a PHP file to a writable web directory and triggering include via the vulnerable path to gain RCE.

Impact — what is at stake

• Confidentiality: High — secrets and credentials may be exposed.
• Integrity: High — possible modification of site content, persistent backdoors, malware.
• Availability: Medium–High — defacement, data destruction or ransomware impact possible.
• Reputational/compliance: Moderate–High — data exposure may trigger regulatory obligations.

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) and suspicious behaviours to look for

Monitor logs, webserver access records and application logs for:

• Requests containing directory traversal sequences: ../ or URL-encoded %2e%2e%2f in parameters such as file=, template=, include=, page=.
• Requests referencing sensitive filenames: wp-config.php, .env, /etc/passwd, /proc/self/environ.
• Usage of PHP stream wrappers in requests: php://filter, data://, expect://, php://input.
• High request volumes to the same endpoint with varying payloads (probing patterns).
• Unexpected response bodies containing configuration or credential data.

Example log search patterns (for investigations only):

GET /?include=../../wp-config.php
GET /wp-content/themes/powerlift/includes/?page=../../../../etc/passwd

Detection & monitoring — practical steps

1. Enable detailed access and error logging; export copies to an isolated location for analysis.
2. Check PHP and webserver error logs for messages like “failed to open stream” or “include(): Failed opening”.
3. Deploy host-based integrity checks (file checksums) for wp-config.php, theme and plugin directories.
4. Set up signature-based detection for traversal patterns and references to sensitive files.
5. Run targeted scans to discover other vulnerable code paths in themes, plugins or custom code.

WAF mitigation guidance (rule examples and logic)

If you cannot immediately update to Powerlift 3.2.1, a virtual patch via a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a rapid mitigation. Test rules in monitoring mode first to reduce false positives.

Example ModSecurity / WAF rules (illustrative):

# Block common directory traversal attempts in query string and POST body
SecRule ARGS|REQUEST_URI|REQUEST_LINE "@rx (\.\./|\%2e\%2e/|\%2e\%2e\%5c|\.\.\\)" \
    "id:100001,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'Directory traversal attempt blocked',severity:2"
  

# Block direct attempts to include critical files
SecRule ARGS|REQUEST_URI "@rx (wp-config\.php|\.env|/etc/passwd|/proc/self/environ)" \
    "id:100002,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'Sensitive file inclusion attempt',severity:2"
  

# Block PHP stream wrappers in parameters
SecRule ARGS|REQUEST_URI "@rx (php\://|php\%3A%2F%2F|data\:|expect\:|input\:|filter\:)" \
    "id:100003,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'PHP wrapper usage blocked',severity:2"
  

# Higher-confidence block for a Powerlift-specific path (example)
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-content/themes/powerlift/" \
    "chain,id:100004,phase:2,log,deny,status:403,msg:'Powerlift LFI mitigation'"
    SecRule ARGS:file|ARGS:include|ARGS:template "@rx (\.\./|\%2e\%2e/)"
  

Operational notes:

• Run these rules in monitoring mode for 24–48 hours to evaluate false positives, then switch to blocking if safe.
• Log full request bodies and headers for blocked events to aid investigations.
• Rate-limit and block IPs performing repeated scanning or probing.

Hardening and server-level mitigations

1. Update the theme to 3.2.1 or later immediately — the code fix is the definitive solution.
2. Remove or disable unused themes and plugins.
3. Harden PHP settings:
   • allow_url_include = Off
   • disable allow_url_fopen if feasible
4. Set strict file permissions:
   • wp-config.php: 400 or 440 where possible
   • Theme and plugin files should not be world-writable
5. Restrict web access to sensitive files via server rules. Example nginx snippet:

   location ~* wp-config.php {
       deny all;
   }

6. Prevent PHP execution in upload directories (e.g., block .php in /wp-content/uploads/).
7. Use open_basedir or equivalent to limit PHP filesystem access where possible.
8. Disable in-dashboard file editors: add define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to wp-config.php.
9. Maintain regular backups and verify restore procedures.

Patching and remediation checklist

1. Back up site and database to an off-site location before changes.
2. Update Powerlift to version 3.2.1 or later.
3. Test in staging; reconcile any customizations (use a child theme or move changes into a plugin).
4. Rotate any secrets discovered in logs or configuration (DB password, API keys, salts).
5. Run comprehensive malware scans; if web shells are found, isolate and restore from clean backups or perform a full forensic cleanup.
6. Review logs from disclosure date forward for suspicious activity.
7. If compromise is suspected, follow the incident response steps below.

Incident response playbook (concise)

1. Isolate: Take the site offline or restrict access to prevent further attacker actions.
2. Preserve evidence: Snapshot logs, file system and database for forensic analysis.
3. Block malicious IPs and tighten WAF signatures; increase logging granularity.
4. Rotate credentials: DB passwords, WordPress salts, FTP/SFTP, control panel accounts, API keys.
5. Clean or restore: Restore from a verified clean backup if available; otherwise remove malicious files and backdoors and harden the environment.
6. Re-scan to confirm cleanup and validate there are no lingering backdoors.
7. Communicate: Notify stakeholders and follow legal/regulatory disclosure requirements if data was exposed.
8. Conduct a post-incident review to address root cause and reduce recurrence risk.

Defensive controls and service considerations (what to look for)

If you use managed security or hosting services, ensure they can provide the following without forcing vendor lock-in:

• Ability to deploy targeted virtual patches (WAF rules) quickly and roll them back as needed.
• Regular signature updates and monitoring for new theme/plugin vulnerabilities.
• Comprehensive logging and alerting with access to full request data for incident response.
• Automated scanning for known web shells and suspicious file changes, plus manual review options.
• Clear escalation and remediation procedures your team can follow during an incident.

Specific detection examples (safe, non-exploit)

Search patterns to use against your logs (do not use these to test other sites):

• Traversal sequences:

  grep -E "(%2e%2e/|\.\./|\.\.\\)" access.log

• Attempts to reference wp-config.php:

  grep -i "wp-config.php" access.log

• PHP wrapper usage:

  grep -E "(php://|data:|expect:|filter:)" access.log

• Combination of traversal with unusual user-agent:

  awk '/(%2e%2e/|\.\./)/ && /User-Agent/' access.log

Best practices to reduce exploitation risk in WordPress themes

• Use child themes for customisations to preserve updateability.
• Keep business logic out of theme files; prefer plugins for functionality so fixes are easier to apply.
• Never use unvalidated user input to build filesystem paths; always canonicalise and validate.
• Apply least-privilege to database and filesystem access.
• Limit administrative interfaces by IP where feasible and require strong MFA for admin accounts.
• Test updates in staging before production deployment.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: I updated to 3.2.1 — do I still need WAF protection?
A: Updating fixes the vulnerable code path, but defence-in-depth remains important. A WAF helps detect other attack vectors and reduces exposure to zero-days.

Q: My site has custom modifications in the Powerlift theme. How do I update safely?
A: Move customisations into a child theme or a plugin, test in staging and reconcile any direct changes to parent theme files before updating.

Q: Can an LFI always lead to remote code execution?
A: Not always. LFI primarily causes information disclosure, but RCE is possible when additional conditions are met (log poisoning, writable upload dirs, wrappers). Treat LFI as urgent.

Final checklist — immediate actions for site owners using Powerlift

1. Verify which Powerlift version your site uses. If < 3.2.1, update immediately.
2. If you cannot update immediately:
   • Consider placing the site into maintenance mode temporarily.
   • Apply WAF rules to block traversal, php:// wrappers and references to wp-config.php and other sensitive files.
   • Block or rate-limit IPs showing probing behaviour.
   • Ensure PHP/hardening settings (allow_url_include OFF, correct file permissions).
3. Search logs for suspicious requests going back at least 3 months and respond to any signs of data leakage or code execution.
4. Rotate secrets if there is any indication that configuration files were disclosed.

Closing notes

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities are a common vector for critical compromises because they expose configuration data and can be chained into remote code execution. The Powerlift LFI (CVE-2025-67940) is a timely reminder that theme code must follow secure coding practices and that site operators need layered defences.

If you need external assistance, engage a reputable incident response or forensic provider that can help deploy virtual patches, analyse logs, and perform a thorough remediation without introducing further risk. Act quickly: identify affected sites, apply mitigations, and push the theme update as a priority.

— Hong Kong Web Security Specialist