CVE-2025-58934 is a vulnerability classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI) found in the axiomthemes The Gig WordPress theme, affecting versions up to and including 1.18.0. The root cause is improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to manipulate the input to include remote malicious PHP files. This leads to remote code execution (RCE) capabilities without requiring authentication, though user interaction is needed (e.g., visiting a crafted URL). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially stealing sensitive data or modifying website content. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a high severity due to network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and thus exploitable. The Gig theme is used primarily in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed across European organizations for business and e-commerce websites. The vulnerability arises from unsafe coding practices where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being used in include/require statements, a common PHP security pitfall. This flaw can be exploited by attackers to include remote files hosted on attacker-controlled servers, leading to full server compromise or defacement.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-58934 can be severe. Compromise of websites running The Gig theme can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive customer or business data, defacement of public-facing websites, and potential pivoting into internal networks. This can damage brand reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and cause operational disruptions. Since WordPress powers a significant portion of European business websites, especially in countries with high digital adoption like Germany, France, the UK, and the Netherlands, the attack surface is substantial. The vulnerability’s ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication increases the risk of automated exploitation campaigns once exploit code becomes publicly available. Additionally, attackers could use compromised servers as a foothold for further attacks, including ransomware deployment or lateral movement within corporate networks. The lack of known patches at the time of disclosure increases exposure duration, raising urgency for mitigation.

1. Immediately monitor official axiomthemes channels and Patchstack for security updates or patches addressing CVE-2025-58934 and apply them as soon as they become available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict access to vulnerable endpoints by implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that detect and block suspicious include/require parameter values, especially those containing URLs or unexpected file paths. 3. Conduct a thorough code audit of the The Gig theme files to identify and remediate unsafe include/require statements by enforcing strict input validation and sanitization, or by hardcoding allowed file paths. 4. Disable remote file inclusion in PHP configurations by setting allow_url_include=Off and ensure allow_url_fopen is disabled if not required. 5. Employ least privilege principles on web server file permissions to limit the impact of potential code execution. 6. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests containing file inclusion attempts or suspicious query parameters. 7. Educate site administrators on the risks of installing untrusted themes and the importance of timely updates. 8. Consider isolating WordPress instances running The Gig theme in segmented network zones to reduce lateral movement risk.