CVE-2025-14430 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the ThemeMove Brook - Agency Business Creative WordPress theme versions up to 2.8.9. The vulnerability stems from improper validation and control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements. Specifically, the theme allows user-controlled input to specify files that are included and executed by the PHP interpreter. This flaw enables an attacker to supply a remote URL pointing to malicious PHP code, which the server then includes and executes. This can result in remote code execution, allowing attackers to run arbitrary commands, upload malware, steal sensitive data, or deface the website. The vulnerability does not require authentication, increasing its risk profile, and can be exploited remotely by sending crafted HTTP requests to vulnerable endpoints. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them highly attractive targets for attackers. The vulnerability affects websites using the Brook theme, which is designed for agency and business creative purposes, typically deployed on WordPress CMS platforms. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and pending detailed scoring, but the technical characteristics suggest a high severity. The vulnerability was reserved in December 2025 and published in January 2026, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No official patches or updates have been linked yet, so users must monitor vendor announcements closely. The vulnerability can be mitigated by applying patches when available, disabling allow_url_include in PHP configurations, validating and sanitizing all user inputs, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests.

The impact of CVE-2025-14430 on European organizations can be severe. Exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise of the affected web server. This can result in data breaches exposing sensitive customer or corporate data, defacement of public-facing websites damaging brand reputation, and use of compromised servers as pivot points for further attacks within corporate networks. Organizations relying on the Brook theme for their WordPress sites, especially those hosting critical business services or customer portals, face risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts. Additionally, compromised websites can be used to distribute malware or conduct phishing campaigns targeting European users. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the vulnerability's characteristics suggest it could be rapidly weaponized. The impact is particularly critical for sectors like finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe, where data protection regulations such as GDPR impose strict requirements on data security and breach notification.

1. Monitor ThemeMove and official WordPress theme repositories for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-14430 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Disable the PHP configuration directive allow_url_include to prevent inclusion of remote files, which is a common vector for RFI attacks. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion or path references within the theme or custom code. 4. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block attempts to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities, such as suspicious URL patterns or remote file references. 5. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations made to the Brook theme to ensure no insecure file inclusion practices exist. 6. Restrict file permissions on the web server to limit the ability of PHP processes to write or modify files outside designated directories. 7. Educate web administrators and developers on secure coding practices related to file inclusion and PHP configuration hardening. 8. Maintain comprehensive backups of websites and databases to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 9. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests or error messages indicative of attempted exploitation. 10. Consider isolating critical web applications in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if compromised.