CVE-2025-60050 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the Panda theme developed by axiomthemes, affecting versions up to 1.21. The vulnerability arises due to improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements. This flaw allows an attacker to supply a malicious remote file path that the server will include and execute, leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.2, reflecting high severity with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N, indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, unchanged scope, high confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and no availability impact. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them attractive targets for attackers seeking to execute malicious code on vulnerable web servers. The vulnerability specifically impacts PHP-based websites using the Panda theme, which is commonly deployed on WordPress platforms. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation. The vulnerability could be leveraged to steal sensitive data, implant backdoors, or pivot within the network, primarily compromising confidentiality and partially affecting integrity. Given the widespread use of PHP and WordPress in Europe, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on the Panda theme for their web presence.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60050 can be substantial. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data hosted on affected web servers, including customer information, intellectual property, or internal documents, severely impacting confidentiality. Attackers could also execute arbitrary code, potentially implanting backdoors or malware, which might facilitate further lateral movement within corporate networks, threatening integrity. Although availability is not directly impacted, the presence of malicious code could indirectly disrupt services or lead to reputational damage. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and regulatory requirements like GDPR. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of attacks, especially if automated scanning tools identify vulnerable instances. Additionally, the lack of a current patch means organizations must rely on interim mitigations, increasing exposure time. The risk is amplified for organizations using the Panda theme in public-facing websites or web applications, as attackers can remotely exploit the vulnerability without needing internal access.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from axiomthemes and apply them immediately once available to eliminate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are released, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters used in include/require statements to prevent injection of remote file paths. 3. Disable PHP's allow_url_include directive in the php.ini configuration to prevent inclusion of remote files, which is a critical control against RFI attacks. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block suspicious include/require patterns or attempts to access remote URLs. 5. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations or plugins that interact with the Panda theme to identify and remediate insecure coding practices. 6. Restrict file permissions on the web server to limit the execution and inclusion of unauthorized files. 7. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, such as requests containing suspicious URL parameters or file paths. 8. Educate development and IT teams about the risks of RFI vulnerabilities and secure coding best practices to prevent similar issues in the future.