CVE-2025-53326 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 CodeYatri Gutenify product, versions up to 1.5.6. The flaw allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), a condition where an attacker can manipulate the input to include arbitrary files on the server. This can lead to the execution of malicious code, disclosure of sensitive information, or complete compromise of the web application and underlying server. The vulnerability arises because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is used in PHP include or require statements, enabling attackers to specify unintended files. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity level, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that organizations using affected versions remain vulnerable until a fix is released and applied.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on the Gutenify plugin in their PHP-based web environments, such as WordPress or custom CMS platforms. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, and internal configuration files. The ability to execute arbitrary code could allow attackers to pivot within networks, disrupt services, or deploy ransomware. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations could face operational disruptions, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. The lack of required user interaction and the network attack vector mean that remote exploitation is feasible, increasing the risk of automated scanning and attacks. European entities in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, which often use PHP-based web applications, are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the regulatory environment.

Organizations should immediately inventory their web applications to identify any instances of the Gutenify plugin version 1.5.6 or earlier. Until an official patch is released, mitigation should include disabling or removing the vulnerable plugin to eliminate the attack surface. Implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious include or require statement manipulations can provide temporary protection. Input validation and sanitization should be enforced at the application level to prevent malicious file path inputs. Additionally, restricting PHP file inclusion to a whitelist of safe directories using PHP configuration directives (e.g., open_basedir) can limit exposure. Monitoring web server logs for unusual file inclusion attempts and anomalous behavior is critical for early detection. Organizations should also prepare to apply patches promptly once available and consider conducting penetration testing to verify the effectiveness of mitigations.