CVE-2025-60061 is a critical vulnerability identified in the axiomthemes Kicker WordPress theme, affecting versions up to and including 2.2.0. The flaw arises from improper control of the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, enabling a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) attack vector. RFI vulnerabilities allow attackers to remotely specify and execute malicious PHP code by tricking the application into including external files. This can lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized data access, code execution, and service disruption. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector and high attack complexity. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's nature and severity make it a prime target for attackers once weaponized. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of parameters controlling file inclusion paths in PHP scripts within the Kicker theme. Without proper validation, attackers can supply URLs or paths to malicious payloads hosted externally or locally, which the server then executes. This vulnerability affects websites using the Kicker theme, which is popular among WordPress users for its design and functionality. Given WordPress's widespread use in Europe, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to many organizations, especially those relying on the affected theme versions without timely updates or mitigations.

The impact of CVE-2025-60061 on European organizations can be severe. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to full compromise of the web server and underlying infrastructure. This can result in data breaches exposing sensitive customer or corporate data, defacement of websites damaging brand reputation, and disruption of services impacting business continuity. The vulnerability threatens confidentiality by allowing unauthorized data access, integrity by enabling code and content manipulation, and availability by facilitating denial-of-service conditions or persistent backdoors. European organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce, which often rely on WordPress-based websites, are particularly at risk. The ease of exploitation without authentication means attackers can scan and target vulnerable sites en masse, increasing the likelihood of widespread attacks. Additionally, compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations may be jeopardized if breaches occur due to this vulnerability, leading to legal and financial consequences.

To mitigate CVE-2025-60061, organizations should immediately identify all WordPress installations using the axiomthemes Kicker theme and verify the version in use. Upgrading to a patched version beyond 2.2.0, once released, is the primary mitigation step. Until patches are available, implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters controlling file inclusion to prevent injection of malicious paths. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block attempts to exploit RFI vulnerabilities. Restrict PHP configuration settings such as disabling allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen to prevent inclusion of remote files. Limit file system permissions for the web server user to reduce the impact of potential code execution. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on file inclusion flaws. Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests targeting include/require parameters. Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices to avoid similar vulnerabilities in custom themes or plugins. Finally, maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any exploitation attempts.