CVE-2025-53446 is a vulnerability classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP programs, specifically affecting the axiomthemes Beautique WordPress theme up to version 1.5. This vulnerability falls under the category commonly known as PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), where the application improperly sanitizes or controls the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements. An attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating the input to include arbitrary local files on the server, which can lead to remote code execution if combined with other techniques such as log poisoning or uploading malicious files. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects a high-severity rating, with attack vector being network-based (AV:N), requiring high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker can fully compromise the affected system. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in December 2025, with no known exploits in the wild yet. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using the Beautique theme, which is a product of axiomthemes, a vendor known for WordPress themes. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, website defacement, malware injection, or complete server takeover. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on this theme for their web presence.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-53446 can be severe. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, including customer data, intellectual property, and internal documents, resulting in data breaches and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. Integrity of websites can be compromised, allowing attackers to deface sites or inject malicious code such as web shells or malware, which can further propagate attacks or damage reputation. Availability may also be affected if attackers disrupt services or cause denial of service conditions. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the critical nature of their online services. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the threat surface, making it easier for attackers to target vulnerable sites without needing insider access or user interaction. Additionally, the lack of patches at the time of disclosure means organizations must act quickly to mitigate risk. The reputational damage and potential financial losses from exploitation could be substantial, especially for organizations with high-profile web assets in Europe.

1. Immediate removal or disabling of the vulnerable Beautique theme version 1.5 or earlier from all WordPress installations until a secure patch is released. 2. Monitor vendor announcements closely for official patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any user-controllable parameters that influence file inclusion or require/include statements in custom code or plugins. 4. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block Local File Inclusion attempts targeting PHP include/require functions. 5. Conduct thorough security audits of WordPress environments to identify any unauthorized changes or suspicious files that may indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Restrict file system permissions to limit the PHP process’s ability to read sensitive files or execute arbitrary code outside intended directories. 7. Employ intrusion detection and prevention systems to alert on anomalous web requests or file access patterns. 8. Educate web administrators and developers about the risks of insecure file inclusion and best coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities. 9. Maintain regular backups of website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 10. Consider isolating critical web services in segmented network zones to reduce lateral movement opportunities for attackers.