CVE-2025-11023 is a critical PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting ArkSigner Software and Hardware Inc.'s AcBakImzala product versions before 5.1.4. The vulnerability arises from improper control over filename parameters used in include or require statements within the PHP codebase, classified under CWE-829 (Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere) and CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement). This flaw enables an unauthenticated remote attacker to manipulate input parameters to include arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, data disclosure, and full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the vulnerability's critical nature, with attack vector being network-based, no privileges or user interaction required, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it highly exploitable. The affected product, AcBakImzala, is used for digital signature and document verification, making the integrity and confidentiality of data paramount. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could execute malicious code, access sensitive documents, or disrupt service availability, severely impacting organizational operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-11023 is substantial. Given AcBakImzala's role in digital signature and document verification, exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive documents, manipulation of signed data, and disruption of trust in digital transactions. This could affect sectors such as finance, legal, government, and healthcare, where document integrity is critical. Confidentiality breaches could expose personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity compromises could invalidate legally binding documents, causing operational and legal challenges. Availability impacts could disrupt business continuity and critical services. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the risk of widespread attacks, potentially targeting multiple organizations simultaneously. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before exploitation becomes widespread.

To mitigate CVE-2025-11023, organizations should immediately upgrade AcBakImzala to version 5.1.4 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. In the absence of immediate patching, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters that influence file inclusion to prevent manipulation. Employ whitelisting of allowable file paths and names to restrict inclusion to trusted files only. Configure PHP settings to disable remote file inclusion (allow_url_include=Off) and limit file system permissions to prevent unauthorized file access. Monitor logs for suspicious file inclusion attempts and anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation. Additionally, conduct security audits and penetration testing focused on file inclusion vectors. Establish network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting LFI patterns. Finally, ensure incident response plans are updated to address potential exploitation scenarios involving AcBakImzala.