CVE-2025-58923 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program,' commonly known as a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) flaw, found in the axiomthemes Critique WordPress theme up to version 1.17. The vulnerability arises because the theme improperly validates or sanitizes user-supplied input used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to manipulate the filename parameter. This manipulation can lead to the inclusion of unintended local files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive data such as configuration files, password files, or application source code. In some cases, LFI can be escalated to remote code execution if the attacker can upload malicious files or leverage other vulnerabilities. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects a high severity, with network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no public exploits are reported yet, the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a critical concern for websites using the Critique theme. The lack of patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate attention from administrators. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The improper input control in PHP include/require statements is a well-known attack vector in web applications, often exploited to gain unauthorized access or execute arbitrary code remotely. Organizations using this theme should consider the risk of data breaches, website defacement, or service disruption.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58923 can be severe. Many European businesses and public sector entities rely on WordPress for their web presence, including critical services and e-commerce platforms. Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive customer data, intellectual property theft, or full system compromise. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts mean attackers could steal data, modify website content, or cause denial of service. This could result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR, and financial losses. Given the high attack complexity but no need for authentication or user interaction, skilled attackers could exploit this remotely over the internet. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the risk of future exploitation remains high. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data and services. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within networks, increasing overall cyber risk.

1. Immediate Actions: Monitor vendor announcements for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-58923 and apply them promptly once available. 2. Input Validation: Conduct thorough code reviews of the Critique theme to identify and sanitize all user inputs used in include/require statements, ensuring only safe, expected filenames are processed. 3. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy or update WAF rules to detect and block attempts to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities, including suspicious URL parameters or payloads. 4. Principle of Least Privilege: Restrict file system permissions for web server processes to limit access to sensitive files and directories, minimizing potential damage from LFI exploitation. 5. Disable Unnecessary Features: If possible, disable or remove unused theme components that handle file inclusion dynamically. 6. Logging and Monitoring: Enhance logging of web server and application events to detect anomalous file inclusion attempts and respond rapidly. 7. Network Segmentation: Isolate web servers from critical internal networks to contain potential breaches. 8. Backup and Recovery: Maintain up-to-date backups of website data and configurations to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. 9. Security Awareness: Educate web administrators and developers about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and PHP vulnerabilities. 10. Alternative Themes: Consider migrating to well-maintained themes with active security support if patches are delayed or unavailable.