CVE-2025-47474 is a critical security vulnerability classified as a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) flaw in the Ninetheme Anarkali PHP application, specifically affecting versions up to 1.0.9. The vulnerability stems from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, which allows an attacker to specify a remote file to be included and executed by the server. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the high severity, with attack vector being network-based, no privileges required, no user interaction needed, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability being high. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them attractive targets for attackers to deploy web shells, malware, or pivot deeper into networks. The vulnerability was reserved in May 2025 and published in January 2026, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting means organizations must implement interim mitigations. The vulnerability affects web applications running PHP with configurations that allow remote file inclusion, a common scenario in shared hosting or misconfigured environments. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without authentication or user interaction, making it a critical risk for exposed web servers running the affected Anarkali versions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web-facing applications using the Ninetheme Anarkali product. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized remote code execution, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, modify or delete information, disrupt services, or use compromised servers as a foothold for further attacks. Industries relying on PHP-based content management or e-commerce platforms are particularly vulnerable. The impact extends to reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches due to data exposure), and potential financial losses from downtime or remediation costs. Given the critical severity and ease of exploitation, attackers could rapidly compromise multiple systems, especially in sectors with high web exposure such as finance, healthcare, and government services. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the risk of imminent exploitation attempts is high. Organizations with inadequate network segmentation or outdated PHP configurations are at elevated risk.

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling allow_url_include in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion, and setting allow_url_fopen to off if not required. Organizations should apply any available patches from Ninetheme as soon as they are released. In the absence of patches, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion logic, employing whitelisting of allowed filenames or paths. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion vectors. Conduct thorough code reviews to identify and refactor vulnerable include/require statements. Network-level controls such as restricting outbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic from web servers can limit the ability to fetch remote malicious files. Regularly monitor logs for anomalous requests indicative of exploitation attempts. Finally, ensure backups and incident response plans are updated to quickly recover from potential compromises.