CVE-2025-49943 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the AncoraThemes Femme WordPress theme, specifically affecting versions up to 1.3.11. The vulnerability arises from improper validation and control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements. This flaw allows an attacker to supply a remote URL as the filename, causing the server to fetch and execute malicious PHP code from an external source. Since the vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, it can be exploited remotely by unauthenticated attackers over the network. The impact is severe, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector but requiring high attack complexity. No public patches or exploits are currently documented, but the vulnerability is published and should be considered critical for any affected installations. The root cause is insufficient sanitization or validation of user-controllable input used in PHP include/require statements, a common and dangerous web application flaw. Organizations using AncoraThemes Femme should audit their installations, monitor for suspicious activity, and prepare to apply vendor patches or updates once released.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to any WordPress-based websites using the AncoraThemes Femme theme. Exploitation can lead to complete server takeover, exposing sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and internal systems. This can result in data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties under GDPR. E-commerce platforms, media outlets, and corporate websites are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on WordPress themes and plugins. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication increases the attack surface and likelihood of compromise. Additionally, compromised servers can be used to launch further attacks within the network or distribute malware to visitors, amplifying the impact. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity demands urgent attention. Organizations failing to address this vulnerability risk severe operational disruption and legal consequences.

1. Immediately identify and inventory all WordPress installations using the AncoraThemes Femme theme, especially versions up to 1.3.11. 2. Disable or remove the vulnerable theme until a vendor patch or update is available. 3. Monitor web server logs for unusual include or require requests, especially those containing remote URLs or suspicious parameters. 4. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block remote file inclusion attempts and restrict outgoing HTTP requests from the web server to untrusted sources. 5. Harden PHP configurations by disabling allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives to prevent remote file inclusion. 6. Restrict file system permissions to limit the web server's ability to write or execute unauthorized files. 7. Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date with the latest security patches. 8. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on PHP include/require usage. 9. Educate development and IT teams about secure coding practices to prevent similar issues. 10. Prepare incident response plans to quickly contain and remediate any exploitation attempts.