CVE-2025-53442 is a vulnerability identified in the PHP-based Rentic theme developed by axiomthemes, specifically affecting versions up to 1.1. The root cause is improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, which enables remote file inclusion (RFI). This means an attacker can manipulate the input to include a remote malicious PHP file, which the server then executes. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it remotely exploitable over the network. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a high severity, with network attack vector, high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and no privileges required. Exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, data theft, website defacement, or full server takeover. Although no public exploits are known yet, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them attractive targets for attackers. Rentic is used primarily in WordPress environments for rental and booking websites, which often handle sensitive user data and payment information. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, increasing the urgency for mitigation. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery. Given the widespread use of PHP and WordPress in Europe, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to affected organizations.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-53442 could result in severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, disruption of business operations through website defacement or denial of service, and potential lateral movement within the network leading to broader compromise. Organizations in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and real estate that rely on Rentic for booking and rental services are particularly vulnerable. The breach of confidentiality could lead to GDPR violations with substantial fines. Integrity loss could undermine customer trust and damage brand reputation. Availability impacts could disrupt online services, causing revenue loss. Since the vulnerability allows remote code execution without authentication, attackers can rapidly exploit unpatched systems, making timely response critical. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score indicates that once exploited, the damage could be extensive.

1. Monitor axiomthemes and Rentic developers for official patches and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Until patches are available, disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion to block malicious payloads. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious include/require patterns and remote file inclusion attempts. 5. Restrict file system permissions for web server processes to limit the impact of potential code execution. 6. Conduct regular code audits and security assessments of custom themes and plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. 7. Use network segmentation to isolate web servers from critical internal systems. 8. Enable detailed logging and monitor for anomalous file inclusion or execution events to detect exploitation attempts early. 9. Educate development teams on secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input handling. 10. Consider temporary removal or replacement of Rentic theme if mitigation cannot be assured until patches are released.