CVE-2025-60046 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the HeartStar theme developed by axiomthemes for PHP-based web applications. The vulnerability arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to specify a remote file to be included and executed by the server. This can lead to remote code execution, enabling attackers to run arbitrary PHP code, steal sensitive data, or manipulate the website's content and behavior. The vulnerability affects HeartStar versions up to 1.0.14. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.1, indicating high severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope is 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. The vulnerability was reserved in late September 2025 and published in December 2025. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for organizations to implement interim mitigations.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, particularly for those relying on the HeartStar theme in their PHP-based websites or content management systems. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, website defacement, or full system compromise. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data breaches), and cause financial losses. Public-facing websites are especially vulnerable, as attackers can exploit the vulnerability remotely without authentication. The high confidentiality and integrity impact means that sensitive customer data or internal business logic could be exposed or altered. Although availability is not directly impacted, secondary effects such as website downtime due to remediation or attacker actions are possible. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly following disclosure.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from axiomthemes and apply them immediately once available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict PHP include paths using configuration directives such as open_basedir to limit file inclusion to trusted directories. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block attempts to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities, including suspicious URL parameters or remote file references. 4. Conduct code reviews and audits of the HeartStar theme and any customizations to identify and remediate unsafe include or require statements. 5. Disable allow_url_include in PHP configurations to prevent inclusion of remote files. 6. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters that influence file paths. 7. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Educate web administrators and developers about the risks of RFI vulnerabilities and best secure coding practices.