CVE-2025-60197 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the owenr88 Simple Contact Forms plugin for PHP-based websites, affecting versions up to 1.6.4. The vulnerability arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to supply a malicious remote URL. When the vulnerable code includes this attacker-controlled filename, it results in the remote PHP file being executed within the context of the web server. This can lead to unauthorized code execution, data leakage, or partial system compromise. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it exploitable remotely by any attacker with network access to the affected web server. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 reflects the high impact on confidentiality (complete data exposure possible), moderate impact on integrity (limited to code execution), and no direct impact on availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities historically makes them attractive targets for attackers seeking to deploy web shells or pivot within networks. The vulnerability affects websites running the Simple Contact Forms plugin, which is commonly used in PHP CMS environments, particularly WordPress. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation through alternative means.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of web applications using the Simple Contact Forms plugin. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive customer data collected via contact forms, defacement of websites, or use of compromised servers as pivot points for further attacks within corporate networks. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, healthcare, and finance, which rely heavily on web forms for customer interaction, are particularly vulnerable. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks targeting vulnerable sites. Additionally, compromised servers could be used to distribute malware or conduct phishing campaigns, amplifying the threat beyond the initial breach. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability should be treated with urgency.

1. Immediately identify and inventory all instances of the Simple Contact Forms plugin version 1.6.4 or earlier across your web infrastructure. 2. Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin until a security patch is released by the vendor. 3. If patching is not yet available, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion, ensuring only trusted local files can be included. 4. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block attempts to exploit RFI vulnerabilities, such as suspicious URL parameters containing remote file references. 5. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests that include remote URLs or unexpected file inclusion attempts. 6. Restrict outbound HTTP/HTTPS requests from web servers to prevent fetching remote malicious files. 7. Educate development teams on secure coding practices to avoid dynamic inclusion of user-supplied input without validation. 8. Prepare incident response plans to quickly isolate and remediate compromised systems if exploitation is detected.