CVE-2025-53432 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the AncoraThemes Echo WordPress theme, affecting versions up to and including 1.15.0. The vulnerability arises from improper control and validation of filenames used in PHP include or require statements. This flaw allows an attacker to supply a malicious remote file URL that the vulnerable PHP code will include and execute on the server. Since the vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, it can be exploited remotely by any attacker with network access to the affected web server. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or pivoting within the network. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with attack vector being network, attack complexity high, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, with no known public exploits yet. AncoraThemes Echo is a popular WordPress theme used for building websites, and the vulnerability affects all installations using versions up to 1.15.0. The lack of official patches at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for manual mitigation or temporary workarounds. The root cause is insufficient sanitization and validation of user-controllable input that determines the filename in include/require statements, a common PHP security pitfall leading to RFI. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially taking full control of the web server and underlying infrastructure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites and web applications built using the AncoraThemes Echo WordPress theme. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, defacement of public-facing websites, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, education, and media that rely on WordPress themes for their online presence are especially vulnerable. The compromise of web servers can also serve as a foothold for launching further attacks against internal systems or customers. Given the high CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, the impact includes loss of confidentiality (data leakage), integrity (unauthorized code execution), and availability (service disruption). The fact that no authentication or user interaction is required increases the likelihood of automated exploitation attempts once public exploits become available. Additionally, reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR may arise if personal data is exposed or services are disrupted.

Immediate mitigation steps include auditing all WordPress installations for the use of the AncoraThemes Echo theme and identifying affected versions (<=1.15.0). Since no official patches are currently available, organizations should implement manual code reviews and apply input validation and sanitization to any parameters controlling include/require statements. Specifically, restrict file inclusion to local files only, disallow remote URLs, and use whitelisting of allowed filenames. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious requests attempting remote file inclusion patterns. Disable PHP allow_url_include directive if enabled, as it facilitates remote file inclusion. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests or errors related to file inclusion. Plan for rapid deployment of official patches once released by AncoraThemes. Additionally, conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on WordPress themes and plugins. Educate web developers and administrators on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Finally, maintain robust backup and incident response plans to recover quickly in case of compromise.