CVE-2025-53207 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 the WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks plugin, a WordPress plugin designed to enhance travel-related content creation. The flaw allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), meaning an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements to include unintended files from the local filesystem. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, disclosure of sensitive files, or complete compromise of the affected web server. The vulnerability is present in all versions of WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks up to and including version 3.9.0. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.1, indicating a high severity, with the vector string AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack can be launched remotely over the network without authentication or user interaction, but requires high attack complexity. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability severely. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in late June 2025 and published in August 2025. The core technical issue is insufficient validation or sanitization of user-controlled input used in PHP include/require statements, which allows attackers to specify local files to be included and executed by the server's PHP interpreter.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data such as configuration files, credentials, or user data stored on the server. Attackers could also execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to full server compromise, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This is particularly critical for travel agencies, tourism boards, and related service providers who rely on this plugin to manage travel content and bookings. The impact extends to reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches due to data exposure), and operational disruption. Given the remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack, even publicly accessible websites without login restrictions are at risk. The high attack complexity somewhat reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation but does not eliminate the threat, especially from skilled attackers targeting high-value organizations.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks plugin and its version. Until an official patch is released, consider the following mitigations: 1) Disable or remove the WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks plugin if it is not essential. 2) Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion patterns, such as requests containing directory traversal sequences or unusual file path parameters. 3) Restrict PHP include paths at the server configuration level to prevent inclusion of arbitrary files outside designated directories. 4) Employ principle of least privilege on the web server file system to limit the files accessible to the web server user, minimizing the impact of LFI. 5) Monitor web server logs for anomalous requests indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Once available, promptly apply vendor patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 7) Conduct security awareness with development and operations teams about the risks of improper input validation in PHP includes to prevent similar issues in custom code.