CVE-2025-53441 is a vulnerability classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP programs, specifically affecting the Greeny theme developed by axiomthemes, versions up to and including 2.6. This vulnerability is a form of Remote File Inclusion (RFI), where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input used in PHP include or require statements. As a result, an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter to include arbitrary files from remote or local sources. This can lead to execution of malicious PHP code on the server, enabling a range of attacks such as remote code execution, data theft, privilege escalation, or complete server takeover. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require authentication or user interaction, making it exploitable remotely by any attacker who can reach the vulnerable web application. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities historically shows rapid exploitation once disclosed. The Greeny theme is used in PHP-based content management systems, likely WordPress, which is widely deployed across many organizations. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and pending detailed scoring, but the technical characteristics suggest a high risk. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No official patches or remediation links are currently available, increasing the urgency for organizations to monitor vendor updates and apply fixes promptly once released.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53441 could be severe. Exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on web servers hosting the Greeny theme, potentially leading to data breaches involving sensitive customer or business information, defacement of websites, or use of compromised servers as pivot points for further attacks within corporate networks. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, and government that rely on PHP-based CMS platforms with the Greeny theme are at heightened risk. The compromise of public-facing web servers can damage reputation, cause service outages, and result in regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Additionally, the ability to execute remote code without authentication means attackers can automate exploitation at scale, increasing the threat level. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the vulnerability’s characteristics suggest that once weaponized, it could lead to widespread attacks across Europe.

1. Monitor axiomthemes official channels and trusted vulnerability databases for the release of patches addressing CVE-2025-53441 and apply them immediately upon availability. 2. Until patches are available, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion paths, ideally restricting includes to a whitelist of trusted files or directories. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block attempts to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities, including suspicious URL parameters or payloads. 4. Disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in PHP configurations to prevent inclusion of remote files. 5. Conduct thorough code audits of customizations or plugins that interact with the Greeny theme to identify and remediate unsafe include/require usage. 6. Restrict file permissions on web servers to limit the ability of the web server process to write or execute unauthorized files. 7. Implement network segmentation to isolate web servers from critical internal systems, limiting lateral movement in case of compromise. 8. Maintain regular backups of website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery if exploitation occurs. 9. Educate development and security teams about the risks of insecure file inclusion and best practices for secure PHP coding.