CVE-2025-49261 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 Diza product, versions up to and including 1.3.8. The core issue is a PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI) flaw that allows an attacker to manipulate the filename parameter used in include or require statements, potentially enabling the inclusion of arbitrary files. Although the description mentions PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), the vulnerability's nature and CWE classification indicate the risk extends to remote file inclusion scenarios as well. This means an attacker can supply a crafted URL or file path that the PHP application will include and execute, leading to arbitrary code execution on the server. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting a high severity with the vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This indicates the attack can be launched remotely over the network without privileges or user interaction, but requires high attack complexity. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability, allowing full system compromise. No patches or exploits in the wild are currently documented, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical risk for web servers running the affected Diza versions. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-controlled input used in PHP include/require statements, a common and dangerous web application security flaw. Attackers exploiting this can execute arbitrary PHP code, steal sensitive data, modify or delete files, or disrupt service availability.

For European organizations using thembay Diza, especially those running vulnerable versions (up to 1.3.8), this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to full server compromise, data breaches involving sensitive customer or business data, defacement of websites, or disruption of critical web services. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and regulatory requirements like GDPR. The high severity and remote exploitability mean attackers can target exposed web servers without authentication or user interaction, increasing the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts. The impact extends beyond individual organizations to potentially affect supply chains and customer trust. Additionally, compromised servers could be leveraged as pivot points for lateral movement within corporate networks or for launching further attacks, amplifying the threat. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the vulnerability's characteristics suggest it will be targeted once public awareness increases.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should upgrade thembay Diza to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. In the absence of official patches, consider disabling or restricting the vulnerable include/require functionality if feasible. 2. Input validation: Implement strict validation and sanitization of all user-supplied inputs that influence file inclusion paths. Use whitelisting approaches to allow only known safe filenames or paths. 3. Configuration hardening: Disable allow_url_include in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion. Ensure allow_url_fopen is also disabled if not required. 4. Web application firewall (WAF): Deploy and tune WAF rules to detect and block attempts to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities, such as suspicious URL patterns or payloads. 5. Code review and testing: Conduct thorough code audits focusing on dynamic include/require statements and implement automated security testing to detect similar flaws. 6. Network segmentation: Isolate web servers running vulnerable applications to limit potential lateral movement if compromised. 7. Monitoring and logging: Enhance logging of web server and application events to detect anomalous file inclusion attempts and respond rapidly. 8. Incident response preparedness: Develop and rehearse response plans for potential exploitation scenarios involving web server compromise. These measures, combined, reduce the attack surface and improve detection and response capabilities.