CVE-2025-58896 is a vulnerability in the AncoraThemes Otaku WordPress theme (version 1.8.0 and earlier) that arises from improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements. This weakness allows an attacker to perform PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI), where arbitrary files on the web server can be included and executed within the PHP context. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input that determines the filename to be included. Exploiting this flaw does not require authentication or user interaction, and can be triggered remotely over the network, making it highly accessible to attackers. The impact primarily affects confidentiality by exposing sensitive files such as configuration files, source code, or credentials stored on the server. There is also a potential for limited integrity impact if attackers can include files that alter application behavior, though availability impact is minimal. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.2 reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and high confidentiality impact with limited integrity impact. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is considered high risk due to the common use of PHP themes like Otaku in WordPress environments. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from administrators using this theme.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web applications using the AncoraThemes Otaku theme, which is popular among WordPress users. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data such as database credentials, configuration files, or internal source code, potentially enabling further attacks like privilege escalation or lateral movement. Confidentiality breaches can result in regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, leading to legal and financial penalties. The ease of exploitation and remote attack vector increase the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts. While the vulnerability does not directly cause denial of service or full system compromise, the exposure of sensitive information can facilitate more severe attacks. Organizations relying on PHP-based CMS platforms should consider this a high-priority threat, especially those hosting customer data or critical business applications. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation before widespread exploitation occurs.

1. Monitor AncoraThemes and official sources for patches addressing CVE-2025-58896 and apply updates immediately upon release. 2. Until a patch is available, perform manual code audits on the Otaku theme files to identify and sanitize all user inputs used in include/require statements, ensuring only safe, whitelisted filenames are accepted. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious file inclusion patterns and attempts to access sensitive files. 4. Restrict file system permissions on the web server to limit the PHP process’s access to only necessary directories, preventing inclusion of sensitive files. 5. Employ PHP configuration hardening, such as disabling allow_url_include and enabling open_basedir restrictions to confine file access. 6. Conduct regular security scans and penetration tests focusing on file inclusion vulnerabilities. 7. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding practices related to dynamic file inclusion. 8. Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect anomalous file access or inclusion attempts promptly.