CVE-2025-67171 is a directory traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-22, affecting the /templates/ component of RiteCMS version 3.1.0. The flaw arises from incorrect access control mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input paths, allowing attackers to traverse directories beyond the intended scope. This enables unauthorized remote attackers to access sensitive files on the server without authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5, reflecting its network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and a high impact on confidentiality. The integrity and availability of the system remain unaffected. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild, the vulnerability's nature makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to harvest sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other critical data stored on the server. RiteCMS is a content management system used by various organizations to manage web content, and the /templates/ directory typically contains HTML or script templates that, if accessed improperly, could disclose sensitive information or aid further attacks. The lack of an official patch or mitigation guidance in the provided data suggests that organizations must implement interim controls to prevent exploitation. This includes restricting direct access to the /templates/ directory, employing web application firewalls with rules to detect directory traversal patterns, and conducting thorough input validation and sanitization on all user inputs referencing file paths.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-67171 can be significant, particularly for those using RiteCMS to manage websites containing sensitive or regulated data. Unauthorized access to sensitive files could lead to data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property theft, or exposure of internal configuration files that facilitate further compromise. The confidentiality breach could damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory fines, and disrupt business operations. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, direct service disruption is unlikely; however, attackers could leverage the accessed information for subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement. Organizations in sectors like government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often have stringent data protection requirements, face heightened risks. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the threat level, making automated scanning and exploitation feasible by attackers. Consequently, European entities must treat this vulnerability as a priority to avoid potential data leaks and compliance violations.

To mitigate CVE-2025-67171 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately restrict or disable public access to the /templates/ directory on RiteCMS installations using web server configuration (e.g., via .htaccess or equivalent) to prevent direct URL access. 2) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that reference file paths to block directory traversal sequences such as '../'. 3) Deploy and configure web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically targeting directory traversal attack patterns to detect and block malicious requests. 4) Conduct thorough code reviews and security testing of the RiteCMS /templates/ component to identify and remediate any additional access control weaknesses. 5) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual access patterns or repeated attempts to access restricted files. 6) Engage with RiteCMS vendors or community to obtain or request official patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. 7) If patching is not immediately possible, consider isolating RiteCMS instances in segmented network zones with limited access to sensitive backend systems. 8) Educate administrators and developers about secure coding practices related to file access and directory traversal prevention. These measures combined will reduce the risk of exploitation until an official patch is available.