CVE-2025-58709 identifies a Remote File Inclusion vulnerability in the axiomthemes Legacy product, a PHP-based theme or framework used in web applications. The vulnerability stems from improper control over the filename parameter in include or require statements, which are core PHP functions used to incorporate external files into the executing script. If user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being passed to these functions, an attacker can manipulate the input to include arbitrary files from remote servers or local file systems. This can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to run malicious PHP code on the affected server, potentially gaining full control over the web application and underlying system. The affected versions include all versions up to and including 1.9, with no specific version excluded. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a critical risk once weaponized. The vulnerability is classified as a Local File Inclusion (LFI) or Remote File Inclusion (RFI) depending on the attack vector, but the description highlights PHP Remote File Inclusion. The vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning any unauthenticated attacker capable of sending crafted HTTP requests can exploit it. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and not yet fully assessed. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2025 and published in December 2025. No official patches or fixes are currently linked, so mitigation relies on input validation, code review, and defensive controls. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or where the web server has elevated privileges. Organizations using axiomthemes Legacy in their PHP applications should prioritize identifying affected instances and applying mitigations promptly.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web applications built on PHP using the axiomthemes Legacy product. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, steal sensitive data, deface websites, or pivot to internal networks. This can result in data breaches, service disruptions, reputational damage, and regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR requirements. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and government are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and the criticality of their services. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, potentially enabling widespread automated attacks. Additionally, compromised websites can be used to distribute malware or launch further attacks, amplifying the impact. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the risk of imminent exploitation remains high once exploit code becomes publicly available.

1. Immediate code review and audit of all include/require statements in the axiomthemes Legacy codebase to ensure no user input is directly used without strict validation and sanitization. 2. Implement whitelist validation for any filename parameters, allowing only predefined safe files to be included. 3. Disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in PHP configuration to prevent remote file inclusion. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious file inclusion attempts or unusual HTTP request patterns targeting include parameters. 5. Monitor web server and application logs for anomalous requests that attempt to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities. 6. Segregate web server privileges to limit the impact of a successful exploit, ensuring the web server runs with minimal permissions. 7. Stay alert for official patches or updates from axiomthemes and apply them promptly once available. 8. Conduct penetration testing focused on file inclusion vulnerabilities to identify and remediate any residual issues. 9. Educate developers and administrators about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input validation.