CVE-2025-53433 is a Local File Inclusion vulnerability found in the AncoraThemes EasyEat WordPress plugin, versions up to 1.9.0. The vulnerability stems from improper validation and control of filenames passed to PHP include or require statements. This flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the input parameters to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem. Such an attack can lead to disclosure of sensitive information such as configuration files, source code, or credentials stored on the server. In some cases, if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, it may allow remote code execution by including malicious files uploaded to the server. The vulnerability is categorized as a PHP Remote File Inclusion type but is specifically a Local File Inclusion due to the nature of the flaw. No official patches or fixes have been linked yet, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery. The lack of a CVSS score requires an assessment based on impact and exploitability factors. AncoraThemes EasyEat is a niche WordPress plugin used primarily for restaurant and food ordering websites, which may limit the scope but still presents a significant risk to affected installations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53433 can be substantial, especially for small to medium enterprises in the hospitality sector using EasyEat for online ordering or menu management. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, internal configuration files, or credentials, resulting in data breaches and compliance violations under GDPR. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the entire web server and lateral movement within the network. This could disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and incur financial losses. Given the hospitality industry's increasing reliance on digital platforms, the vulnerability poses a direct threat to service availability and data confidentiality. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the ease of exploitation inherent in LFI vulnerabilities means rapid exploitation is plausible once publicly disclosed.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of the AncoraThemes EasyEat plugin and identify affected versions. Until an official patch is released, mitigation should include: 1) Restricting PHP include paths via configuration (e.g., open_basedir) to limit accessible directories; 2) Implementing strict input validation and sanitization on parameters controlling file inclusion; 3) Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block LFI attack patterns; 4) Disabling or removing the plugin if not essential; 5) Monitoring web server logs for suspicious file inclusion attempts; 6) Applying principle of least privilege to web server processes to minimize impact; 7) Keeping all other components of the web stack updated to reduce combined attack surface. Organizations should also prepare to deploy vendor patches promptly once available and consider penetration testing to verify the effectiveness of mitigations.