CVE-2025-60065 is a remote file inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the axiomthemes Pinevale WordPress theme, specifically in versions up to 1.0.14. 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 URL that the server will include and execute. This type of vulnerability can lead to remote code execution, data theft, or website defacement. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.1, indicating high severity, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N, meaning the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requires user interaction (e.g., a victim clicking a crafted link). The scope is unchanged, but the impact on confidentiality and integrity is high, while availability is not affected. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability was reserved and published in late 2025, suggesting recent discovery. The vulnerability affects the Pinevale theme, which is used in WordPress sites, a popular CMS platform globally. Since WordPress themes are often used in websites with varying security postures, the risk of exploitation is significant if patches or mitigations are not applied promptly. The lack of official patch links suggests that users must monitor vendor updates or apply manual mitigations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to full site compromise, data breaches, or pivoting to internal networks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-60065 can be severe, especially for those relying on WordPress websites using the Pinevale theme for business operations, e-commerce, or customer engagement. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property theft, website defacement, or disruption of online services. This can damage brand reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and cause financial losses. Since the vulnerability allows remote code execution without authentication, attackers can compromise sites en masse, potentially using them as launchpads for further attacks or distributing malware. Organizations in sectors such as retail, finance, healthcare, and government are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their data and the criticality of their online presence. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering may be used to trigger the exploit, increasing the attack surface. Additionally, compromised sites can be blacklisted by search engines or security services, impacting business continuity and customer trust.

To mitigate CVE-2025-60065, European organizations should immediately verify if their WordPress installations use the Pinevale theme version 1.0.14 or earlier. If so, they should: 1) Apply any available official patches or updates from axiomthemes as soon as they are released. 2) If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling the theme or switching to a secure alternative. 3) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters that influence file inclusion to prevent injection of remote URLs. 4) Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious include/require requests or attempts to load remote files. 5) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual requests or errors related to file inclusion. 6) Educate users and administrators about phishing risks since user interaction is required for exploitation. 7) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress themes and plugins. 8) Restrict outbound HTTP requests from web servers to prevent fetching remote malicious files if possible. These measures combined will reduce the risk of exploitation and limit potential damage.