CVE-2025-58889 is a vulnerability classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP programs, specifically affecting the Towny theme developed by axiomthemes. This vulnerability allows Remote File Inclusion (RFI), a critical flaw where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter used in PHP's include or require statements to load arbitrary files from remote or local sources. The affected versions include all Towny theme versions up to and including 1.16. The root cause is insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input that controls the file path in the include/require function calls. Exploiting this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or pivoting within the network. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them highly attractive targets for attackers. The vulnerability was reserved in early September 2025 and published in December 2025, but no official patches or mitigation instructions have been released by axiomthemes at the time of this analysis. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates a severity assessment based on the impact and exploitability characteristics. Given that RFI can be exploited remotely without authentication and can lead to complete system compromise, this vulnerability is considered high severity. The vulnerability affects PHP-based websites using the Towny theme, which is commonly deployed on WordPress or similar CMS platforms. Attackers could exploit this flaw by sending crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the include/require filename parameter, causing the server to load malicious code hosted remotely or local sensitive files. This can lead to remote code execution, data leakage, or denial of service. Detection is challenging without proper logging and monitoring of file inclusion calls. Organizations should monitor web server logs for suspicious requests referencing unexpected file paths or external URLs. Immediate mitigation involves disabling vulnerable functionality, restricting file inclusion paths via PHP configuration (e.g., allow_url_include=Off), and applying patches once available. Code review to sanitize and validate all user inputs controlling file paths is critical. Additionally, web application firewalls (WAFs) can help block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58889 can be significant, especially for those relying on PHP-based CMS platforms like WordPress with the Towny theme installed. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to take full control of affected web servers. This can result in data breaches involving sensitive customer or business information, defacement of websites, disruption of online services, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. The reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR for data breaches could be severe. Public-facing websites are particularly at risk, as attackers can exploit the vulnerability remotely without authentication. The lack of available patches increases the window of exposure, making timely mitigation critical. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce, which often rely on PHP-based web infrastructure, face heightened risk. Additionally, compromised web servers can be used as launchpads for further attacks, including phishing campaigns or malware distribution, amplifying the threat landscape.

1. Immediately audit all web applications using the Towny theme to identify vulnerable versions (<=1.16). 2. Disable or restrict any functionality that allows dynamic file inclusion from user input. 3. Configure PHP settings to disable remote file inclusion by setting allow_url_include=Off and allow_url_fopen=Off if not required. 4. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters controlling file paths to ensure only expected, whitelisted files can be included. 5. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious file inclusion attempts, such as requests containing URL schemes or directory traversal patterns. 6. Monitor web server and application logs for anomalous requests attempting to include remote or unusual files. 7. Isolate vulnerable systems from critical internal networks until patches or fixes are applied. 8. Engage with axiomthemes or the theme vendor for official patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. 9. Consider replacing the Towny theme with a more secure alternative if immediate patching is not feasible. 10. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion.