CVE-2025-53437 is a vulnerability identified in the ApusTheme Greenorganic WordPress theme that arises from improper control over filenames used in PHP include or require statements. This flaw allows an attacker to perform PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), a technique where malicious actors can trick the application into including unintended files from the server's filesystem. Such inclusion can lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to read sensitive files, execute malicious scripts, or escalate privileges on the affected server. The vulnerability affects all versions of Greenorganic up to and including 2.45. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 indicates a high severity, with an attack vector over the network (AV:N), requiring no privileges (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N), but with high attack complexity (AC:H). The impact covers confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as attackers can potentially access sensitive data, modify system files, or disrupt services. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability's nature and severity make it a critical concern for sites using this theme. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate risk mitigation. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe and the popularity of themes like Greenorganic for e-commerce and content sites, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to European organizations relying on this software.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-53437 could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property theft, website defacement, and service outages. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication means attackers can pivot within networks, potentially compromising other connected systems. E-commerce platforms using Greenorganic may face financial losses and reputational damage due to data breaches or downtime. Regulatory implications under GDPR are significant, as breaches involving personal data could result in heavy fines and legal actions. The high attack complexity somewhat limits exploitation to skilled attackers, but the lack of required privileges or user interaction lowers barriers for remote exploitation. Organizations with inadequate monitoring or outdated themes are particularly vulnerable. The threat also extends to supply chain risks if compromised sites serve as vectors for malware distribution. Overall, the vulnerability threatens confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, making it a critical concern for European businesses and public sector entities using the Greenorganic theme.

1. Immediate action should be to monitor ApusTheme's official channels for a security patch and apply it as soon as it becomes available. 2. Until a patch is released, disable or remove the Greenorganic theme from production environments if feasible. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion to prevent malicious input. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block LFI attempts targeting PHP include/require functions. 5. Restrict file system permissions for the web server user to the minimum necessary, preventing access to sensitive files outside the web root. 6. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations to the theme or plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. 7. Enable detailed logging and monitor for suspicious activities such as unexpected file access or inclusion attempts. 8. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and PHP security. 9. Consider isolating critical web applications in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 10. Backup website data regularly and verify restoration procedures to minimize downtime in case of an incident.