CVE-2025-53252 is a critical vulnerability classified as improper control of filename for include/require statements in the PHP program within the zozothemes Zegen theme, versions up to and including 1.1.9. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to perform remote file inclusion (RFI) attacks by manipulating the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements. Because PHP includes external files during execution, improper validation or sanitization of the filename parameter enables attackers to include malicious remote files, leading to arbitrary code execution on the server. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The impact is critical, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a CVSS score of 9.8. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a high-risk vulnerability. The affected product, Zegen, is a PHP-based theme used primarily in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed globally. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation on the filename parameter used in include/require statements, a common PHP security flaw that can lead to remote code execution if exploited. This can allow attackers to run arbitrary PHP code, access sensitive data, modify website content, or disrupt service availability.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-53252 could lead to full compromise of web servers running the vulnerable Zegen theme. This includes unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and internal systems if the web server is used as a pivot point. The integrity of websites could be compromised, allowing defacement or injection of malicious content such as malware or phishing pages, damaging brand reputation and customer trust. Availability could be impacted through denial-of-service conditions or ransomware deployment. Organizations in sectors with high reliance on web presence, such as e-commerce, media, and government services, face heightened risks. The vulnerability's remote and unauthenticated nature increases the likelihood of automated exploitation attempts, potentially leading to widespread attacks if unpatched. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation before active exploitation begins.

European organizations should immediately identify and inventory all instances of the zozothemes Zegen theme in their environments. Since no official patches are currently linked, organizations should consider the following mitigations: 1) Temporarily disable or remove the Zegen theme until a vendor patch is released. 2) Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious requests attempting to manipulate include/require parameters, specifically filtering for remote file inclusion patterns. 3) Restrict PHP configuration settings such as disabling allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen to prevent remote file inclusion. 4) Employ input validation and sanitization controls at the application level to ensure only safe, expected filenames are processed. 5) Monitor web server logs for unusual requests targeting include parameters or unexpected file paths. 6) Use runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools if available to detect and block exploitation attempts. 7) Plan for timely patching once an official update from zozothemes is released. 8) Conduct security awareness for developers and administrators on secure coding practices related to file inclusion.