CVE-2025-58949 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the axiomthemes Spock PHP theme, affecting versions up to and including 1.17. The vulnerability arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, allowing attackers to specify remote URLs that the application will include and execute. This leads to remote code execution under the context of the web server, enabling attackers to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a high severity, with an attack vector over the network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality and integrity is high (C:H/I:H), with no impact on availability (A:N). Although no public exploits are currently known, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them attractive targets for attackers to deploy web shells, steal sensitive data, or pivot within networks. The vulnerability affects PHP-based websites using the Spock theme, which is commonly deployed on WordPress or similar CMS platforms. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation through configuration hardening and monitoring.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to websites running the Spock theme on PHP platforms. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, deface websites, or use compromised servers as a foothold for further network intrusion. This can result in data breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. The impact is particularly critical for sectors relying heavily on web presence, such as e-commerce, government portals, and media companies. Given the high adoption rates of PHP and WordPress-based solutions in countries like Germany, France, and the UK, organizations in these regions face increased risk. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in supply chain attacks or to distribute malware to European users. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the ease of exploitation and high impact necessitate urgent action.

1. Immediately update the Spock theme to a patched version once available from axiomthemes. 2. Until a patch is released, disable the PHP allow_url_include directive in php.ini to prevent inclusion of remote files (set allow_url_include=Off). 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence include or require statements to ensure only local, expected files are referenced. 4. Employ a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block Remote File Inclusion attempts, such as suspicious URL patterns or parameter values. 5. Conduct thorough code reviews and audits of custom PHP code to identify and remediate similar insecure inclusion patterns. 6. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests or errors indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Restrict file system permissions for the web server user to limit the impact of potential code execution. 8. Educate development and security teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input handling.