CVE-2025-28944 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which pertains to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements in PHP programs. Specifically, this vulnerability affects the 'Avaz' theme developed by snstheme, versions up to 2.8. The vulnerability allows for PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI), which can lead to Local File Inclusion (LFI) attacks as described. In an RFI or LFI attack, an attacker manipulates the filename parameter in an include or require statement to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive files on the server. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input controlling the file path. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects a high-severity issue with network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means an unauthenticated attacker can remotely exploit this vulnerability without user interaction, but the attack requires some conditions that increase complexity, such as specific server configurations or input vectors. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code, read sensitive files, modify data, or cause denial of service by including malicious or unintended files. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be considered a significant risk. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation and monitoring. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for websites or applications using the Avaz theme in PHP environments, which are common in content management systems or custom PHP applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those using the Avaz theme in their web infrastructure. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity of web applications could be compromised, enabling attackers to inject malicious content, deface websites, or pivot to internal networks. Availability could also be impacted by denial-of-service conditions caused by malicious file inclusions. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations face risks ranging from data breaches to operational disruptions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability without authentication increases the attack surface, making it attractive for cybercriminals targeting European businesses, government portals, or e-commerce platforms that rely on PHP-based themes. Additionally, the complexity of exploitation may limit widespread automated attacks initially, but targeted attacks against high-value European targets remain a concern. The absence of patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls until official fixes are released.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or removing the vulnerable Avaz theme from production environments until a patch is available. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters used in include or require statements to ensure only allowed filenames or paths are processed. 3. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion vectors. 4. Restrict PHP configuration settings such as 'allow_url_include' to 'Off' to prevent remote file inclusion. 5. Use PHP open_basedir restrictions to limit the directories accessible by PHP scripts, reducing the risk of arbitrary file inclusion. 6. Monitor web server logs and application logs for unusual file inclusion attempts or anomalous requests targeting the vulnerable theme. 7. Conduct code audits on custom PHP applications to identify similar insecure include patterns. 8. Prepare for patch deployment by establishing communication with the vendor or community maintaining the Avaz theme and subscribe to security advisories. 9. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions to detect and block exploitation attempts in real time. 10. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input validation.