CVE-2025-49256 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 thembay Sapa product, versions up to and including 1.1.14. The flaw allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), a type of vulnerability where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter in include or require statements to execute arbitrary files on the server. While the description mentions 'PHP Remote File Inclusion,' the actual impact is local file inclusion, which can still lead to serious consequences such as disclosure of sensitive files, code execution, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, but it has a high attack complexity, indicating some conditions must be met for successful exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.1, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is currently not known to be exploited in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The root cause lies in insufficient validation or sanitization of user-controlled input used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to traverse directories or specify unintended files. This can lead to disclosure of configuration files, source code, or even execution of malicious payloads if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. Given the nature of PHP applications and the widespread use of thembay Sapa in web environments, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to affected systems.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-49256 can be substantial, especially for those relying on the thembay Sapa PHP product in their web infrastructure. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including credentials, configuration files, and intellectual property, severely compromising confidentiality. Integrity can be undermined if attackers manage to execute arbitrary code or modify files, potentially leading to website defacement, malware distribution, or pivoting within the network. Availability may also be affected if attackers disrupt services or cause application crashes. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government, which often handle sensitive personal and financial data, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability’s remote exploitability without authentication increases the attack surface, making it attractive for attackers seeking to compromise web servers. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high CVSS score indicates that once exploited, the consequences could be severe. European organizations with limited patch management capabilities or those using outdated versions of thembay Sapa are especially vulnerable. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as an initial access vector in multi-stage attacks, increasing the overall threat landscape.

Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters used in include or require statements to prevent directory traversal or arbitrary file inclusion. Apply web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities, such as those containing directory traversal sequences (../) or null byte injections. Isolate the PHP application environment with least privilege principles, ensuring the web server user has minimal access rights to the filesystem, limiting the impact of potential LFI exploitation. Monitor web server logs and application logs for unusual access patterns or errors related to file inclusion attempts. Conduct regular code audits and security assessments focusing on dynamic file inclusion points within the PHP application. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or restricting the use of dynamic include/require statements where feasible, or implement whitelisting of allowed filenames. Keep backup copies of critical files and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input handling in PHP.