CVE-2025-58928 is a vulnerability classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in the PHP program Heart developed by axiomthemes. This vulnerability allows Remote File Inclusion (RFI), a critical security flaw where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements to load malicious remote files. This can lead to arbitrary code execution on the server, enabling attackers to execute malicious scripts, steal sensitive data, or take control of the affected system. The vulnerability affects Heart versions up to and including 1.8, with no specific version range provided. The issue stems from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input that controls the file path in include/require functions. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them highly dangerous, especially in web-facing applications. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2025 and published in December 2025, but no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The lack of patch links suggests that either patches are not yet available or not publicly disclosed. The vulnerability is relevant to PHP environments where remote file inclusion is enabled, which is often discouraged but still present in some legacy or misconfigured systems. Attackers exploiting this flaw can execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58928 can be severe. Organizations using the Heart theme in PHP-based web applications are at risk of remote code execution, which can lead to data breaches, defacement, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within networks. Confidentiality is compromised as attackers can access sensitive data; integrity is affected through unauthorized code execution and potential data manipulation; availability can be disrupted by denial-of-service conditions or system crashes caused by malicious payloads. The threat is particularly critical for sectors relying heavily on web presence and customer data, such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government services. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the ease of exploitation typical of RFI vulnerabilities means attackers could develop exploits rapidly. European organizations with limited security monitoring or outdated PHP configurations are especially vulnerable. The impact is magnified in environments where remote file inclusion is enabled or where input validation is weak, common in legacy or poorly maintained systems.

To mitigate CVE-2025-58928, European organizations should immediately identify all instances of the Heart theme version 1.8 or earlier in their environments. Since no official patches are currently linked, organizations should apply the following specific measures: 1) Disable allow_url_include in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion. 2) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters controlling include/require statements, ensuring only local, whitelisted files can be included. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious file inclusion attempts. 4) Conduct code audits to refactor vulnerable include/require usage, replacing dynamic file inclusion with safer alternatives. 5) Monitor logs for unusual file inclusion patterns or unexpected remote requests. 6) Update or replace the Heart theme with a secure, patched version once available. 7) Educate developers and administrators about secure coding practices related to file inclusion. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on configuration hardening, code remediation, and proactive detection tailored to this vulnerability.