CVE-2025-30999 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 WP Shopify plugin developed by Fahad Mahmood, up to version 1.5.3. 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 local files on the server, potentially resulting in full compromise of the web application and underlying server. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N), but requires a high level of attack complexity (AC:H) and low privileges (PR:L), with no user interaction needed (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker can read sensitive files, modify application behavior, and disrupt service availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of LFI vulnerabilities makes this a critical risk for affected installations. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of input controlling the file path in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to traverse directories or specify unintended files. This can be leveraged to execute arbitrary PHP code if combined with other vulnerabilities or to disclose sensitive configuration files, credentials, or logs. Given WP Shopify’s role as an e-commerce integration plugin for WordPress, exploitation could lead to theft of customer data, payment information, or site defacement, severely impacting business operations and reputation.

For European organizations using WP Shopify, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of customer and transactional data, the integrity of e-commerce operations, and the availability of their online storefronts. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and loss of customer trust. The high impact on integrity and availability could disrupt sales, cause financial losses, and damage brand reputation. Since WP Shopify integrates WordPress sites with Shopify stores, many small to medium enterprises (SMEs) relying on this plugin could be targeted, especially those lacking robust security monitoring. The vulnerability’s remote exploitability without user interaction increases the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts. Additionally, compromised sites could be used as pivot points for broader network attacks or to distribute malware, amplifying the threat to European digital infrastructure.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations for the presence of WP Shopify plugin versions up to 1.5.3 and prioritize upgrading to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, temporary mitigations include disabling the plugin or restricting access to vulnerable endpoints via web application firewalls (WAF) and IP whitelisting. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters controlling file inclusion paths to prevent directory traversal and arbitrary file inclusion. Employ security plugins that detect and block LFI attempts and monitor logs for suspicious activity related to file inclusion. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery. Organizations should also conduct penetration testing focused on LFI vulnerabilities and ensure their incident response plans include scenarios involving web application compromise. Finally, maintaining up-to-date PHP versions and hardened server configurations can reduce the attack surface.