CVE-2025-64216 is a vulnerability classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP, commonly known as a Local File Inclusion (LFI) flaw, found in the ThemeSphere SmartMag WordPress theme up to version 10.3.0. This vulnerability arises because the theme improperly validates or sanitizes user-controllable input used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to manipulate the filename parameter to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require low-level privileges, such as a subscriber or contributor account, to exploit. Successful exploitation can lead to disclosure of sensitive files (e.g., configuration files containing database credentials), execution of arbitrary PHP code if combined with other vulnerabilities or writable file upload locations, and potentially full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting network attack vector, high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and the requirement for low privileges and no user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical concern for websites using the affected theme. The lack of official patches or updates at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for WordPress sites in publishing, media, and content-heavy industries that rely on SmartMag for their frontend presentation.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-64216 could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, leakage of customer information, defacement or disruption of public-facing websites, and potential lateral movement within internal networks if the web server is connected to internal resources. Media companies, news outlets, and content publishers using SmartMag themes are especially vulnerable, as compromise could damage reputation and disrupt communication channels. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact means attackers could steal intellectual property, insert malicious content, or cause denial of service. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, and the popularity of SmartMag in content-heavy sites, the threat surface is significant. Additionally, regulatory frameworks such as GDPR impose strict data protection requirements, so breaches resulting from this vulnerability could lead to legal and financial penalties. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the ease of exploitation (network accessible, low privileges) means attackers could develop exploits rapidly.

European organizations should immediately assess their WordPress installations for the presence of the SmartMag theme version 10.3.0 or earlier. If found, they should prioritize upgrading to a patched version once available from ThemeSphere. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should consider temporarily disabling or removing the SmartMag theme to eliminate exposure. Implementing strict input validation and sanitization at the web application level can reduce risk, though this requires developer intervention. Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) should be configured with rules to detect and block Local File Inclusion attempts, such as suspicious include/require parameters or directory traversal patterns. Restricting file permissions on the server to prevent unauthorized reading of sensitive files can limit the impact of exploitation. Monitoring web server logs for unusual requests targeting include parameters can provide early detection. Additionally, organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege on WordPress user accounts to minimize the risk of exploitation by low-privilege users. Regular backups and incident response plans should be updated to handle potential compromises stemming from this vulnerability.