CVE-2025-60053 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program,' specifically a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) flaw in AncoraThemes MaxCube versions up to 1.3.1. The vulnerability arises because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input used in PHP include or require statements. This allows an attacker to specify a remote file URL that the server will include and execute within its PHP runtime context. The consequence is that an attacker can execute arbitrary PHP code remotely without authentication or user interaction, leading primarily to a breach of confidentiality by exposing sensitive data or configuration files. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 reflects a network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), low integrity impact (I:L), and no availability impact (A:N). While no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability is critical due to the ease of exploitation and the potential for attackers to gain control over the affected web server environment. AncoraThemes MaxCube is a WordPress theme product, and its usage in PHP-based web environments makes it a target for attackers seeking to leverage RFI vulnerabilities to deploy web shells, steal data, or pivot within networks. The vulnerability was reserved on 2025-09-25 and published on 2025-12-18, with no patches currently linked, indicating that organizations should monitor for updates and apply them promptly once available.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60053 can be severe, especially for those relying on AncoraThemes MaxCube for their WordPress websites. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including configuration files, user data, and potentially credentials stored on the server. Although the integrity impact is rated low, attackers could execute arbitrary PHP code, which might be leveraged for further attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or persistent backdoors. The availability impact is negligible, but the confidentiality breach alone can cause regulatory and reputational damage, particularly under GDPR requirements. Public-facing websites are at higher risk, and organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government are especially vulnerable due to the sensitivity of their data. The lack of required authentication and user interaction means that attackers can automate exploitation attempts, increasing the likelihood of compromise. Additionally, the absence of known exploits in the wild suggests a window of opportunity for defenders to act before widespread attacks occur.

1. Monitor AncoraThemes and MaxCube vendor channels for official patches addressing CVE-2025-60053 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. In the interim, implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters that influence file inclusion paths to prevent remote URLs or unexpected file references. 3. Configure PHP settings to disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives to prevent inclusion of remote files. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block RFI attack patterns, such as suspicious URL parameters containing remote file references. 5. Conduct code reviews and audits of customizations or plugins that interact with MaxCube to identify and remediate unsafe include/require usage. 6. Restrict file system permissions to limit the PHP process's ability to read or execute files outside intended directories. 7. Implement network segmentation to isolate web servers from critical internal systems, reducing impact if compromise occurs. 8. Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect anomalous file inclusion attempts or unexpected PHP execution behavior. 9. Educate development and security teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and remote input handling. 10. Consider temporary removal or replacement of vulnerable themes if patching is delayed and risk is unacceptable.