CVE-2025-49366 is a vulnerability classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP programs, specifically affecting the AncoraThemes Hanani WordPress theme versions up to 1.2.11. This vulnerability allows Remote File Inclusion (RFI) or Local File Inclusion (LFI) attacks due to insufficient validation or sanitization of user-controlled input used in PHP include or require statements. An attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating the filename parameter to include arbitrary files, potentially from remote servers, leading to arbitrary code execution on the web server. This can result in full site compromise, data theft, defacement, or pivoting to internal networks. Although no public exploits are currently reported, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them highly attractive targets. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, but no CVSS score or patches are currently available. The lack of patches means sites remain vulnerable unless mitigations are applied manually. The vulnerability affects the PHP codebase of the Hanani theme, which is used in WordPress environments, a popular CMS platform globally. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, increasing the risk profile. The vulnerability’s exploitation depends on the presence of vulnerable theme versions and the ability to send crafted HTTP requests to the affected site.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-49366 can be severe. Many businesses and institutions rely on WordPress for their web presence, and themes like Hanani are commonly used due to their design and functionality. Successful exploitation can lead to complete website takeover, exposing sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and internal communications. This can damage brand reputation, lead to regulatory fines under GDPR for data breaches, and disrupt business operations. Attackers could also use compromised sites as a foothold to launch further attacks within corporate networks. The risk is particularly high for sectors such as e-commerce, government, education, and media, which maintain public-facing WordPress sites. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication makes this vulnerability a critical entry point for attackers. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the threat of future exploitation remains high.

Immediate mitigation steps include auditing all WordPress installations for the presence of the Hanani theme and verifying the version. Since no official patches are currently available, organizations should consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Hanani theme with a secure alternative. Manual code review and hardening can be performed by sanitizing and validating all input parameters used in include/require statements to ensure only allowed files are included, preferably using whitelisting techniques. Web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion. Monitoring web server logs for unusual patterns or requests containing file paths or URLs is critical. Organizations should subscribe to vendor advisories for updates and apply patches promptly once released. Additionally, restricting PHP functions such as allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen in the PHP configuration can reduce the risk of remote file inclusion. Regular backups and incident response plans should be updated to handle potential compromises stemming from this vulnerability.