CVE-2025-49942 is a vulnerability identified in the AncoraThemes Gardis WordPress theme, specifically versions up to and including 1.2.13. The issue arises from improper control of the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, which enables a remote file inclusion (RFI) attack vector. RFI vulnerabilities allow an attacker to supply a crafted URL or file path that the PHP interpreter includes and executes, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the server. This can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, though it has a high attack complexity, indicating some conditions must be met for successful exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting the critical impact on system security. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant given the nature of the flaw. The vulnerability affects websites using the Gardis theme, which is built on PHP and commonly deployed in WordPress environments. The lack of proper input validation or sanitization on the filename parameter allows attackers to include malicious remote or local files, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or defacement. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No patches or fixes are currently linked, so users must monitor vendor updates closely.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the Gardis theme or similar PHP-based CMS themes. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized remote code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive data, deploy malware, or disrupt services. This can result in data breaches violating GDPR regulations, financial losses, reputational damage, and operational downtime. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and regulatory requirements. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the attack surface, making it easier for threat actors to target exposed websites. Additionally, the high attack complexity suggests that while exploitation is not trivial, skilled attackers or automated tools could still leverage this flaw effectively. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the risk remains high given the potential impact. European entities with public-facing websites using AncoraThemes Gardis should prioritize assessment and remediation to prevent compromise.

1. Monitor AncoraThemes official channels and security advisories for patches addressing CVE-2025-49942 and apply updates immediately upon release. 2. In the absence of an official patch, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Gardis theme to eliminate exposure. 3. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block remote file inclusion attempts, such as suspicious URL parameters or unusual include paths. 4. Restrict PHP include and require paths using configuration directives like open_basedir to limit file inclusion to trusted directories only. 5. Conduct thorough code reviews and input validation on any custom PHP code that handles file inclusion to ensure no user-controlled input is directly used. 6. Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools to detect and prevent exploitation attempts dynamically. 7. Regularly audit web server logs for anomalous requests indicative of RFI attempts. 8. Educate web development and security teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and parameter validation. 9. Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on suspicious activity targeting PHP applications. 10. Backup website data and configurations regularly to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise.