CVE-2025-24766 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which pertains to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements within PHP programs. Specifically, this vulnerability affects the WordPress plugin 'News Magazine X' developed by WP Royal Themes, up to version 1.2.37. The flaw allows an attacker to perform a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) attack by manipulating the filename parameter used in include or require statements. This can lead to the inclusion and execution of arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability arises because the plugin does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that determines which files are included, enabling attackers to traverse directories or specify unintended files. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating that the attack can be executed remotely over the network (AV:N), requires high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The impact includes full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read sensitive files, execute arbitrary code, or cause denial of service by including malicious or unintended files. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on vendor updates or manual code review. The vulnerability is particularly critical in WordPress environments where this plugin is active, as it can be leveraged to escalate attacks within web hosting environments.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress sites using the News Magazine X plugin. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including customer information, internal documents, or credentials stored on the server. Integrity of website content and backend systems can be compromised, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code, deface websites, or pivot to internal networks. Availability may also be affected if attackers cause crashes or resource exhaustion. Given the widespread use of WordPress across European businesses, media outlets, and public sector websites, this vulnerability could disrupt services, damage reputations, and lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The requirement for user interaction (e.g., clicking a crafted link) may limit automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in phishing-prone environments. The high attack complexity suggests that exploitation is non-trivial but feasible for skilled attackers targeting specific organizations.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the News Magazine X plugin and its version. Until an official patch is released, administrators should consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin to eliminate the attack surface. If removal is not possible, implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters controlling file inclusion within the plugin's codebase. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block suspicious include/require patterns or directory traversal attempts. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests that attempt to exploit file inclusion. Additionally, restrict PHP file inclusion paths using open_basedir or similar PHP configuration directives to limit accessible directories. Regularly update WordPress core, plugins, and themes to incorporate security patches promptly. Educate users to avoid interacting with suspicious links to reduce the risk posed by the required user interaction vector.