CVE-2025-49271 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 GravityWP - Merge Tags plugin, versions up to and including 1.4.4. The flaw allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), a subset of Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerabilities, where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter used in include or require statements to execute arbitrary local files on the server. Although the description mentions PHP Remote File Inclusion, the actual impact is local file inclusion, which can still lead to significant security risks such as code execution, information disclosure, and privilege escalation. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network (AV:N), but requires high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), and some user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of the affected system. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and there are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date (August 14, 2025). The vulnerability was reserved in early June 2025 and published in August 2025, indicating recent discovery. GravityWP - Merge Tags is a WordPress plugin used to enhance form functionality, and its improper input validation on file inclusion parameters is the root cause of this vulnerability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-49271 can be severe, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the GravityWP - Merge Tags plugin installed. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on web servers, leading to data breaches, defacement, or full server compromise. This can result in loss of sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and disruption of business operations. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations may face regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Additionally, compromised websites can be used as launchpads for further attacks within corporate networks or to distribute malware to European users. The requirement for user interaction (UI:R) suggests that exploitation might involve tricking an authenticated user into triggering the vulnerability, which could be feasible via phishing or social engineering. The high attack complexity (AC:H) somewhat limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks against high-value European entities, such as financial institutions, government agencies, or critical infrastructure providers.

1. Immediate audit of all WordPress installations to identify the presence of GravityWP - Merge Tags plugin, especially versions up to 1.4.4. 2. Disable or remove the plugin if it is not essential to business operations until a patch is released. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any user-controllable parameters related to file inclusion within the plugin or custom code. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block attempts at local file inclusion attacks targeting PHP include/require statements. 5. Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests that attempt to manipulate file inclusion parameters or contain directory traversal sequences. 6. Educate users and administrators about phishing and social engineering risks that could trigger the user interaction component of the exploit. 7. Once a patch is available from GravityWP, apply it promptly and test the environment for residual vulnerabilities. 8. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts in real time. 9. Conduct penetration testing focused on file inclusion vulnerabilities to ensure no other components are vulnerable.