CVE-2025-69043 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement' in the PHP program Rashy, a theme developed by goalthemes. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit a Local File Inclusion (LFI) flaw by manipulating the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements. The flaw arises because the application does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that determines which files are included during runtime. As a result, an attacker can craft a request that causes the server to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive information such as configuration files, source code, or credentials stored on the server. The vulnerability affects all versions of Rashy up to and including 1.1.3. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.2, indicating high severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), low integrity impact (I:L), and no availability impact (A:N). No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability's characteristics make it a prime candidate for exploitation. Since Rashy is a WordPress theme, it is commonly deployed on web servers running PHP, making it accessible to remote attackers. The improper input validation in the include/require statements is a classic PHP security issue that can be mitigated by strict input sanitization and using secure coding practices such as whitelisting allowed files or using fixed file paths. The vulnerability was reserved on December 29, 2025, and published on January 22, 2026, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-69043 can be significant. Exploitation of this LFI vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including configuration files, credentials, and internal source code, potentially facilitating further attacks such as privilege escalation or remote code execution. Organizations relying on the Rashy theme for their websites or web applications may face data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory penalties under GDPR due to exposure of personal data. The vulnerability does not directly affect availability but compromises confidentiality and to a lesser extent integrity. Given that no authentication or user interaction is required, attackers can remotely exploit this flaw at scale, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. This is particularly critical for sectors like finance, healthcare, and government services in Europe, where data sensitivity and compliance requirements are stringent. Additionally, the exposure of internal files could reveal infrastructure details, aiding attackers in launching targeted campaigns against European entities.

To mitigate CVE-2025-69043, European organizations should immediately audit their web environments to identify installations of the Rashy theme version 1.1.3 or earlier. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should monitor goalthemes' official channels for updates and apply patches as soon as they become available. In the interim, implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that influence file inclusion, ideally restricting inputs to a whitelist of allowed filenames or using fixed paths. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block LFI attack patterns, such as suspicious traversal sequences or inclusion attempts. Disable PHP functions that facilitate file inclusion from user input where possible. Conduct regular security scans and penetration tests focusing on file inclusion vulnerabilities. Additionally, consider isolating web servers and limiting file permissions to minimize the impact of any successful exploitation. Finally, maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect exploitation attempts promptly.