CVE-2025-48292 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. This specific vulnerability affects the GoodLayers Tourmaster plugin, versions up to and including 5.3.8. The flaw allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter in the include or require statement to load unintended files from the server. Although the CVE description mentions 'PHP Remote File Inclusion,' the actual impact is local file inclusion, which can still lead to severe consequences such as disclosure of sensitive files, execution of arbitrary code, or full system compromise depending on the server configuration and the files accessible. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating 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 the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication or user interaction, but requires some complexity to successfully exploit. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may not have been widely exploited. The vulnerability's root cause is insufficient validation or sanitization of user-controlled input used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to traverse directories or specify arbitrary local files to be included and executed by the PHP interpreter.

For European organizations using the GoodLayers Tourmaster plugin, particularly those running vulnerable versions (up to 5.3.8), this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data such as configuration files, credentials, or personal data protected under GDPR. It can also allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to full system compromise, data manipulation, or service disruption. This can impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, resulting in operational downtime, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. Given the plugin's use in tourism-related websites, which often handle customer bookings and personal information, the threat is particularly relevant for European businesses in the travel and hospitality sectors. The network-exploitable nature without authentication increases the risk of automated scanning and exploitation attempts, especially if the vulnerability becomes widely known. The high attack complexity somewhat limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks by skilled adversaries. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for mitigation before widespread abuse occurs.

European organizations should immediately identify all instances of the GoodLayers Tourmaster plugin in their environments and verify the version in use. Upgrading to a patched version once available is the most effective mitigation. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should apply temporary mitigations such as disabling or restricting access to vulnerable PHP include/require functionality via web application firewall (WAF) rules that block suspicious requests attempting to manipulate file inclusion parameters. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user inputs that influence file paths, employing whitelisting of allowed filenames or directories. Restrict PHP's file system permissions to limit accessible files to only those necessary for operation, preventing attackers from including sensitive files. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests indicative of file inclusion attempts, such as directory traversal patterns or requests containing suspicious parameters. Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools if available to detect and block exploitation attempts in real time. Additionally, conduct security audits and penetration testing focused on file inclusion vulnerabilities to proactively identify and remediate similar issues. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises.