CVE-2025-60074 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the Processby Lazy Load Optimizer plugin for PHP, affecting versions up to 1.4.7. The vulnerability arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in include or require statements within the PHP code. This flaw allows an attacker to specify a remote file URL that the application will include and execute, enabling arbitrary code execution on the affected server. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it exploitable remotely by any attacker with network access to the vulnerable web application. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects the network vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), high integrity impact (I:H), and no availability impact (A:N). Exploitation could lead to the attacker injecting malicious PHP code, modifying website content, or pivoting to further internal attacks. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability’s nature and ease of exploitation make it a critical concern for web applications using this plugin. The vulnerability affects PHP environments where the Lazy Load Optimizer plugin is installed, commonly used to improve image loading performance on websites. The lack of patch links indicates that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for immediate attention and mitigation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the integrity of web applications and websites using the Processby Lazy Load Optimizer plugin. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, leading to website defacement, injection of malicious content, or use of the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks such as data breaches or lateral movement within the network. Although confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise can damage organizational reputation, disrupt business operations, and lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal data is indirectly affected. Organizations relying on PHP-based CMS platforms or e-commerce solutions that integrate this plugin are particularly vulnerable. The threat is heightened for sectors with high online presence such as finance, retail, and government services. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild suggests a window of opportunity for attackers to develop and deploy exploits, making proactive mitigation critical.

1. Monitor official vendor channels and security advisories for patches addressing CVE-2025-60074 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. In the absence of an official patch, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion paths to prevent injection of remote URLs. 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 specifically designed to detect and block Remote File Inclusion attempts. 5. Conduct thorough code reviews and audits of the Lazy Load Optimizer plugin usage and any customizations to ensure no unsafe dynamic includes exist. 6. Restrict web server permissions to limit the execution context and prevent unauthorized file modifications. 7. Implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous outbound connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Educate development and security teams about the risks of insecure file inclusion and best practices for secure PHP coding.