CVE-2025-54716 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which pertains to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements within PHP programs. Specifically, this vulnerability affects the 'Ireca' product developed by ovatheme, versions up to and including 1.8.5. The vulnerability allows for PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), a type of attack where an adversary can manipulate the filename parameter in an include or require statement to execute arbitrary local files on the server. This can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files, execution of malicious code, and potentially full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The high attack complexity indicates that exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge, but no authentication or user interaction is needed, making it a significant threat once those conditions are met. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of the filename input used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to traverse directories or specify local files that should not be accessible. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential impact is severe given the nature of LFI vulnerabilities. No patches or fixes are currently linked, indicating that affected users should be vigilant and seek updates from the vendor or apply mitigations proactively.

For European organizations using the ovatheme Ireca product, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive internal files, including configuration files, credentials, or other critical data, resulting in confidentiality breaches. Attackers could also execute arbitrary code, leading to integrity violations and potentially full system takeover, which could disrupt business operations and availability of services. Given the network attack vector and no requirement for authentication or user interaction, attackers can remotely exploit this vulnerability, increasing the risk of widespread attacks. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, healthcare, and finance that rely on PHP-based web applications and may use the Ireca theme or related components could face data breaches, service outages, and reputational damage. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score underscores the urgency for mitigation.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to vulnerable PHP files and directories via web server configuration (e.g., using .htaccess rules or equivalent) to prevent unauthorized file inclusion. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters used in include or require statements to ensure only intended files can be included. 3. Employ PHP configuration directives such as 'open_basedir' to limit the directories accessible by PHP scripts, thereby reducing the risk of directory traversal and local file inclusion. 4. Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests attempting to manipulate include parameters or access unexpected files. 5. If possible, upgrade to a patched version of the Ireca theme once available from ovatheme or apply vendor-provided patches promptly. 6. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block LFI attempts targeting PHP applications. 7. Conduct code audits and penetration testing focused on file inclusion vulnerabilities within the affected applications. 8. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input handling to prevent recurrence.