CVE-2025-58901 is a vulnerability identified in AncoraThemes Takeout, a PHP-based product, affecting versions up to and including 1.3.0. The issue arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, which leads to a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability. LFI vulnerabilities allow attackers to trick the application into including files from the local filesystem, which can lead to arbitrary code execution if sensitive files such as configuration files or logs containing malicious payloads are included. This vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication or user interaction, but the attack complexity is high, indicating that exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge about the target environment. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability can be leveraged to read sensitive files, execute arbitrary PHP code, or cause denial of service by including system files. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and nature of the vulnerability make it a critical concern for organizations using this software. AncoraThemes Takeout is often used in web environments, making web servers and applications running this product potential targets. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58901 can be severe. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including configuration files, credentials, or business-critical data, undermining confidentiality. Attackers may also execute arbitrary code, leading to full system compromise, data manipulation, or persistent backdoors, affecting integrity. Availability can be disrupted through denial-of-service conditions caused by malicious file inclusions. Organizations relying on AncoraThemes Takeout for web content management or e-commerce may face operational disruptions, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties under GDPR due to data breaches. The remote exploitability without authentication increases the attack surface, especially for externally facing web servers. Given the high attack complexity, targeted attacks by skilled adversaries are more likely than opportunistic mass exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the risk remains significant.

To mitigate CVE-2025-58901, European organizations should immediately upgrade AncoraThemes Takeout to a version beyond 1.3.0 once a patch is released. Until then, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters used in include or require statements to prevent arbitrary file paths. Employ PHP configuration hardening by disabling allow_url_include and enabling open_basedir restrictions to limit accessible file paths. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious requests attempting file inclusion. Conduct thorough code reviews to identify and remediate unsafe dynamic file inclusions. Monitor web server and application logs for anomalous access patterns or error messages indicative of LFI attempts. Isolate vulnerable applications in segmented network zones to reduce lateral movement risk. Additionally, implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) tuned for LFI attack signatures. Regularly back up critical data and test incident response plans to prepare for potential exploitation scenarios.