CVE-2025-64195 is a vulnerability identified in the ThimPress Eduma WordPress theme, specifically related to improper control over filenames used in PHP include or require statements. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform remote or local file inclusion (RFI/LFI), which can lead to arbitrary code execution on the server hosting the vulnerable theme. The flaw arises because the application does not sufficiently validate or sanitize user-supplied input that determines the file path to be included, enabling attackers to specify malicious files or remote URLs. The vulnerability affects all versions of Eduma up to and including 5.7.6. Exploitation requires network access (AV:N), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), but has high attack complexity (AC:H), meaning the attacker must overcome some non-trivial conditions to exploit it. The impact is critical as it compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H) of the affected system. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the potential for full system compromise through code execution or data disclosure is significant. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for websites using Eduma for educational content delivery, which often contain sensitive user data and intellectual property. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate attention to mitigate risk. The vulnerability is tracked under CVE-2025-64195 and was published on October 29, 2025.

The impact of CVE-2025-64195 on European organizations can be severe, especially for those relying on the Eduma WordPress theme for educational or e-learning platforms. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, steal sensitive data such as student records, intellectual property, or administrative credentials, and disrupt service availability. This could result in data breaches, reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR, and operational downtime. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, organizations could face significant financial and legal consequences. Additionally, compromised systems could be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks within the network or for launching attacks against third parties. The high attack complexity and requirement for low privileges somewhat limit the attack surface but do not eliminate the risk, especially in environments with multiple users or weak access controls. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the threat remains critical due to the theme’s widespread use in Europe’s educational sector.

To mitigate CVE-2025-64195, European organizations should: 1) Monitor ThimPress communications and apply security patches immediately once released to address the vulnerability. 2) In the interim, restrict PHP include and require statements by implementing allowlists for file paths and disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configurations (e.g., setting 'allow_url_include' to 'Off'). 3) Harden input validation by sanitizing and validating all user-supplied inputs that influence file inclusion to prevent injection of malicious paths. 4) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting file inclusion attack patterns to detect and block exploitation attempts. 5) Limit user privileges on WordPress installations to reduce the risk of low-privilege exploitation. 6) Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of customizations to the Eduma theme or plugins that might exacerbate the vulnerability. 7) Maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential compromises. 8) Educate administrators and developers about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and PHP security. These measures collectively reduce the risk of exploitation and limit potential damage until official patches are applied.