CVE-2025-49921 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program,' commonly known as a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) or Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability, found in the CrocoBlock JetReviews plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.0.0. The core issue arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input that controls the filename parameter used in PHP's include or require statements. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a specially designed request that manipulates the filename parameter to include malicious remote or local files. This can lead to arbitrary code execution on the server, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files, or denial of service by disrupting application availability. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The CVSS base score of 7.3 reflects a high severity level, primarily due to the potential for confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Although no public exploits are currently known, the widespread use of JetReviews in WordPress environments makes this a significant threat. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in October 2025, with no patch links currently available, indicating that organizations must monitor vendor updates closely. The flaw is particularly dangerous because PHP file inclusion vulnerabilities often lead to full system compromise if exploited successfully. The lack of authentication requirements and ease of exploitation increase the urgency for remediation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-49921 can be severe. Many businesses rely on WordPress and its plugins like JetReviews for customer engagement and e-commerce functionality. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to full server compromise, data theft, or defacement of websites. Confidential customer data, business-critical information, and intellectual property could be exposed or altered. The integrity of reviews and user-generated content could be undermined, damaging brand reputation and trust. Availability could also be affected if attackers disrupt services or deploy ransomware. Given the remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit, attackers could target vulnerable sites en masse, increasing the risk of widespread disruption. The threat is especially pertinent for sectors such as retail, finance, and media that heavily use WordPress plugins for customer interaction. Additionally, regulatory frameworks like GDPR impose strict data protection requirements, and a breach resulting from this vulnerability could lead to significant legal and financial penalties for European organizations.

Organizations should immediately inventory their WordPress environments to identify installations of the JetReviews plugin and verify the versions in use. Until an official patch is released by CrocoBlock, implement the following mitigations: 1) Restrict PHP include paths using open_basedir or disable allow_url_include in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion. 2) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting suspicious include/require patterns to block exploitation attempts. 3) Harden input validation by implementing strict whitelisting of allowed filenames or parameters controlling file inclusion. 4) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual requests that attempt to manipulate file inclusion parameters. 5) Isolate WordPress instances in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if compromised. 6) Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery. 7) Stay alert for vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 8) Consider disabling or replacing JetReviews if immediate patching is not feasible. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on configuration hardening and proactive detection tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.