CVE-2025-32286 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 ApusTheme Butcher product up to version 2.40. The flaw allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), meaning an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter in such a way that arbitrary files on the server can be included and executed within the PHP context. This can lead to remote code execution if an attacker can control the contents of the included files or leverage other chained vulnerabilities. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a network attack vector with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, no privileges or user interaction required, but with a high attack complexity. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input used in include/require statements, enabling attackers to traverse directories or specify unintended files. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for exploitation is significant given the nature of PHP file inclusion vulnerabilities. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be severe. Many websites and web applications in Europe rely on PHP-based themes and plugins, including those from ApusTheme, especially in sectors such as e-commerce, media, and small to medium enterprises. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, such as customer information or intellectual property, through file inclusion of configuration files or logs. Integrity could be compromised by injecting malicious code or altering application behavior, potentially leading to defacement or further malware deployment. Availability may also be affected if attackers execute denial-of-service conditions or disrupt normal operations. Given the high CVSS score and the network-exploitable nature, attackers could remotely compromise vulnerable servers without authentication, posing a significant risk to European organizations that have not updated or mitigated this vulnerability. The absence of known exploits currently does not diminish the threat, as attackers often develop exploits rapidly once a vulnerability is publicized.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of ApusTheme Butcher, identifying any installations of versions up to 2.40. Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion paths, employing whitelisting of allowed filenames or directories. Web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block suspicious patterns indicative of LFI attempts, such as directory traversal sequences (../) or URL-encoded variants. Disabling the allow_url_include directive in PHP configurations can reduce risk, although this vulnerability is local file inclusion. Additionally, running PHP with the least privileges necessary and isolating web application processes can limit the impact of a successful exploit. Organizations should monitor logs for anomalous access patterns and prepare incident response plans in case exploitation is detected. Regular backups and integrity checks of web application files can aid in recovery. Finally, maintain close communication with the vendor for timely patch releases and apply updates promptly once available.