CVE-2025-49454 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which pertains to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements within PHP programs. Specifically, this vulnerability affects LoftOcean's TinySalt product versions prior to 3.10.0. The flaw allows an attacker to perform a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) attack by manipulating the filename parameter used in include or require statements. This can lead to the inclusion and execution of arbitrary local files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive information, executing malicious code, or escalating privileges. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N). However, the attack complexity is high, meaning that exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated high, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, which suggests that organizations should prioritize mitigation and monitoring. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-controlled input used in PHP include/require statements, a common vector for file inclusion attacks in web applications written in PHP.

For European organizations using LoftOcean TinySalt, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including configuration files, credentials, or business-critical information stored on the server. Attackers could also execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full system compromise, lateral movement within networks, and disruption of services. This is particularly concerning for sectors with stringent data protection requirements under GDPR, such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions. The high severity and remote exploitability without authentication increase the risk of widespread exploitation if the vulnerability is weaponized. Additionally, the lack of available patches means organizations remain exposed until a fix is released or mitigations are applied. The potential for data breaches and service outages could result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of LoftOcean TinySalt and identify any instances running versions prior to 3.10.0. Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion vectors, such as requests containing directory traversal sequences or unusual file path parameters. 2) Restrict PHP include paths and disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion and limit local file inclusion risks. 3) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters that influence file inclusion logic, ensuring only expected filenames or whitelisted values are accepted. 4) Monitor application logs and network traffic for anomalous access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Isolate the TinySalt application environment using containerization or sandboxing to limit the blast radius of a potential compromise. 6) Prepare for rapid patch deployment once LoftOcean releases an official fix by establishing a vulnerability management process focused on this product. 7) Conduct security awareness training for developers and administrators on secure coding practices related to file inclusion.