CVE-2025-49260 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which pertains to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements within PHP applications. Specifically, this vulnerability affects the thembay Aora product up to version 1.3.9. The flaw allows an attacker to perform PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), where the application improperly validates or sanitizes user-supplied input that determines the filename to be included or required by the PHP script. This can lead to the inclusion of arbitrary files from the local filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive information, executing arbitrary PHP code, or escalating privileges. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.1, indicating a high impact with the vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring privileges or user interaction, but with high attack complexity. Successful exploitation could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the nature of PHP file inclusion flaws, which are often leveraged for remote code execution or data disclosure. The lack of available patches or updates at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation. The vulnerability's root cause is insufficient validation of the filename parameter used in include/require statements, allowing attackers to manipulate the path and include 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.

For European organizations using the thembay Aora product, this vulnerability could lead to severe security breaches. Attackers exploiting this flaw can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, including configuration files, user credentials, or proprietary business logic. This can result in data leaks, intellectual property theft, or compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. Furthermore, the ability to execute arbitrary code can allow attackers to establish persistent backdoors, disrupt services, or pivot within the network, severely impacting operational continuity. Sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government agencies that rely on PHP-based web applications are particularly at risk. The high severity and remote exploitability without authentication make this vulnerability attractive to cybercriminals and potentially nation-state actors targeting European critical infrastructure or high-value enterprises. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the risk of rapid weaponization remains. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited to launch further attacks such as ransomware or supply chain compromises, amplifying the impact on affected organizations.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or restricting the use of dynamic include/require statements that accept user input in the thembay Aora application until a patch is available. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters controlling file inclusion, ensuring only whitelisted filenames or paths are accepted. 3. Employ PHP configuration hardening, such as disabling allow_url_include and setting open_basedir restrictions to limit accessible filesystem paths. 4. Monitor web server and application logs for suspicious requests attempting to manipulate include parameters or access unexpected files. 5. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block attempts at local file inclusion attacks targeting the Aora product. 6. Conduct a thorough code review of the affected application components to identify and remediate similar insecure coding patterns. 7. Prepare incident response plans to quickly address potential exploitation attempts. 8. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available and prioritize their deployment. 9. For organizations unable to immediately patch, consider isolating affected systems or restricting network access to reduce exposure. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on specific PHP configuration settings, application-level input controls, and proactive monitoring tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.