CVE-2025-63003 is a vulnerability classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP programs, specifically affecting the North - Required Plugin developed by fuelthemes. This plugin, commonly used in WordPress environments, suffers from a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) flaw due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input that controls the filename parameter in PHP include or require statements. An attacker can exploit this by manipulating the input to include arbitrary files, potentially hosted remotely, leading to execution of malicious PHP code on the server. This can result in full system compromise, data theft, or defacement. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.4.2. Although no public exploits are currently documented, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them highly attractive targets for attackers. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and not yet fully assessed, but the technical characteristics suggest a critical flaw in input sanitization. The plugin’s widespread use in European web hosting environments, particularly in CMS-driven websites, increases the risk profile. The vulnerability was reserved in late October 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No official patches or mitigations have been linked yet, emphasizing the need for proactive defensive measures.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-63003 could have severe consequences. Attackers could remotely execute arbitrary code on vulnerable web servers, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, or use of compromised servers as pivot points for further attacks. This is particularly critical for e-commerce platforms, government portals, and financial institutions that rely on the North plugin within their web infrastructure. Data confidentiality and integrity could be compromised, and availability impacted through defacement or denial-of-service conditions. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, potentially enabling widespread automated attacks. Given the plugin’s integration in popular CMS environments, the scope of affected systems is broad, encompassing small to large enterprises across Europe. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but also suggests attackers may be actively developing exploit code. The impact is heightened in countries with high WordPress adoption and significant digital economy sectors, where disruption could have cascading effects on business continuity and trust.

Organizations should immediately inventory their web assets to identify installations of the North - Required Plugin version 1.4.2 or earlier. Until an official patch is released, apply the following mitigations: implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters controlling file inclusion paths, employing whitelisting of allowable files and directories; disable remote file inclusion in PHP configurations by setting 'allow_url_include' to 'Off'; restrict web server permissions to limit file access and execution rights; monitor web server logs for unusual include/require requests or attempts to access external URLs; deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting RFI attack patterns; consider temporarily disabling or replacing the vulnerable plugin if feasible; and maintain up-to-date backups to enable rapid recovery. Upon release, promptly apply vendor patches. Additionally, conduct security awareness training for developers and administrators on secure coding practices related to file inclusion.