CVE-2025-47531 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 XT Event Widget for Social Events developed by Xylus Themes, versions up to and including 1.1.7. The vulnerability allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), which can enable an attacker to include files on the server through manipulated input parameters. Although the description mentions 'PHP Remote File Inclusion,' the actual impact is local file inclusion, which can still lead to significant security risks. The vulnerability arises because the application does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that controls the filename in include or require statements. This flaw can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N) but requires high attack complexity (AC:H) and low privileges (PR:L), with no user interaction needed (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Exploiting this vulnerability 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. The vulnerability was published on May 7, 2025, and has been enriched by CISA, indicating recognition by authoritative cybersecurity entities.

For European organizations using the XT Event Widget for Social Events, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The ability to perform local file inclusion can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as configuration files, credentials, or internal documents. Furthermore, if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, it could enable remote code execution, leading to full system compromise. This can disrupt event management operations, damage organizational reputation, and result in regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR mandates concerning data protection. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that critical event data and services could be compromised or rendered unavailable. Given that the attack complexity is high and requires low privileges, attackers with limited access could still exploit this flaw, increasing the threat surface. The absence of user interaction requirements further facilitates automated exploitation attempts. European organizations relying on this widget for social event management, particularly those integrating it into public-facing websites, are at elevated risk of targeted attacks or opportunistic exploitation.

Immediate mitigation should include disabling or removing the vulnerable XT Event Widget for Social Events until a vendor patch is released. Organizations should monitor vendor communications for updates or patches and apply them promptly once available. In the interim, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to manipulate include parameters. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data controlling file inclusion paths, enforcing strict whitelisting of allowed filenames or paths. Employ least privilege principles for the web server and application processes to limit file system access, reducing the impact of potential exploitation. Regularly audit server logs for unusual access patterns or errors related to file inclusion attempts. Additionally, consider isolating the affected application components within segmented network zones to contain potential breaches. Organizations should also review their incident response plans to prepare for potential exploitation scenarios involving this vulnerability.