CVE-2025-58896 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability found in the AncoraThemes Otaku WordPress theme versions up to 1.8.0. The vulnerability arises from improper validation and control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements. Specifically, the theme allows user-supplied input to influence which files are included by PHP scripts without adequate sanitization or restriction. This flaw enables an attacker to manipulate the input to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem of the web server. Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to disclosure of sensitive files such as configuration files, password files, or other data stored on the server. In some cases, if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, it may allow remote code execution by including malicious files uploaded to the server. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. Although no public exploits are currently known, the presence of this flaw in a popular WordPress theme used by many websites makes it a significant security concern. The lack of a CVSS score suggests this is a newly published vulnerability, and organizations should treat it with urgency. The vulnerability affects the PHP backend of the Otaku theme, which is widely used in WordPress content management systems, a common platform for websites globally including Europe.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58896 can be substantial. Websites using the vulnerable Otaku theme may suffer from unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on the web server, including database credentials, configuration files, or user data. This can lead to data breaches violating GDPR and other privacy regulations, resulting in legal and financial penalties. Additionally, attackers could leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges, potentially compromising the entire web server or internal networks. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and require costly incident response and remediation. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially among SMEs and content-driven businesses, the vulnerability poses a broad risk. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the ease of exploitation without authentication means the threat could quickly escalate if weaponized. Organizations hosting customer-facing websites or handling sensitive data are particularly at risk.

To mitigate CVE-2025-58896, European organizations should immediately identify any WordPress installations using the AncoraThemes Otaku theme version 1.8.0 or earlier. Since no official patch links are currently available, organizations should monitor AncoraThemes and trusted vulnerability databases for updates or patches. In the interim, administrators can implement input validation and sanitization on any parameters controlling file inclusion to restrict them to known safe paths or filenames. Disabling PHP functions such as include(), require(), or using allowlists for included files can reduce risk. Web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block suspicious requests attempting file inclusion attacks. Regular backups and integrity monitoring of website files can help detect and recover from exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review server permissions to limit file access and isolate web server processes. Finally, educating developers and administrators about secure coding practices for file inclusion is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities.