CVE-2025-60052 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in AncoraThemes W&D, a PHP-based product used for web development or content management. The vulnerability stems from improper validation and control over filenames passed to PHP's include or require statements, allowing an attacker to supply a remote URL that the server will include and execute. This flaw enables an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to data disclosure, unauthorized access, or partial integrity compromise of the affected system. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.0, with no specific version exclusions noted. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.2, reflecting a network attack vector with low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact on confidentiality is high due to possible data leakage, integrity impact is low as the attacker can modify some data or code execution, and availability is not affected. No known public exploits have been reported yet, but the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them attractive targets for attackers. The vulnerability was reserved in late September 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. AncoraThemes W&D is likely used in various European web environments, especially those relying on PHP-based CMS or custom web applications. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation steps to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web servers running AncoraThemes W&D, potentially leading to unauthorized remote code execution. Confidential data hosted on affected systems could be exposed, including customer information, internal documents, or credentials. The partial integrity impact means attackers could modify some application behavior or inject malicious code, facilitating further attacks such as phishing or lateral movement. Although availability is not directly impacted, successful exploitation could lead to indirect service disruptions or reputational damage. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as finance, healthcare, and government, face heightened compliance risks. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks targeting vulnerable servers. Given the widespread use of PHP-based web applications in Europe, especially in countries with large digital economies, the threat is relevant and urgent. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense but should not lead to complacency.

1. Immediately audit all web servers and applications to identify instances of AncoraThemes W&D, especially versions up to 1.0. 2. Disable the PHP directive allow_url_include by setting it to Off in php.ini to prevent remote file inclusion. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters used in include or require statements to restrict file paths to trusted directories only. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block suspicious file inclusion attempts. 5. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual requests containing URL parameters or file paths that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. If patches become available from AncoraThemes, prioritize immediate application after testing. 7. Consider isolating vulnerable applications in segmented network zones to limit potential lateral movement. 8. Educate development teams on secure coding practices to avoid similar vulnerabilities in future releases. 9. Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) tuned to detect RFI attack patterns. 10. Regularly back up critical data and verify restoration procedures to mitigate potential damage from exploitation.