CVE-2025-49365 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program,' commonly known as PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI), affecting the AncoraThemes Jack Well WordPress theme up to version 1.0.14. The vulnerability arises because the theme improperly sanitizes or validates input used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to specify a remote file to be included and executed by the server. This can lead to remote code execution (RCE), enabling attackers to run arbitrary PHP code in the context of the web server, potentially leading to full site compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a high severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality and integrity is high (C:H/I:H), while availability impact is none (A:N). The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, with no known exploits in the wild to date. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for immediate attention. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because RFI can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, steal sensitive data, or pivot within the network. The AncoraThemes Jack Well theme is used primarily in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed across many European organizations, especially in small and medium enterprises and content-driven websites.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of web applications running the Jack Well theme. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized code execution, data theft, website defacement, or use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks. Organizations relying on WordPress themes for their public-facing websites or internal portals may face reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed, and operational disruptions if attackers leverage the vulnerability to implant backdoors or malware. The lack of availability impact means services may continue running, potentially masking ongoing exploitation. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially in countries with vibrant digital economies and extensive SME sectors, the threat could affect a broad range of sectors including e-commerce, media, education, and government services. The requirement for user interaction (e.g., visiting a malicious URL) means phishing or social engineering campaigns could facilitate exploitation, increasing the attack surface.

1. Monitor AncoraThemes and official WordPress theme repositories for patches addressing CVE-2025-49365 and apply updates immediately upon release. 2. In the interim, disable allow_url_include in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion at the PHP engine level. 3. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to manipulate include or require parameters. 4. Conduct code audits on the Jack Well theme installation to identify and harden any dynamic include/require statements, applying input validation and sanitization. 5. Restrict file permissions and isolate web server processes to limit the impact of potential code execution. 6. Educate users and administrators about phishing risks that could lead to user interaction exploitation. 7. Implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous outbound connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans tailored to web server compromises. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on configuration hardening, proactive monitoring, and user awareness specific to the nature of this RFI vulnerability.