CVE-2025-69050 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement' in the PHP-based Edge-Themes Overworld product, affecting versions up to 1.3. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to perform Remote File Inclusion (RFI) attacks by manipulating the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements. RFI vulnerabilities enable attackers to include remote malicious scripts, which can lead to arbitrary code execution, data theft, website defacement, or full server compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 reflects a high severity, with network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a prime target for attackers once exploit code becomes available. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be released, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of input controlling the filename in include/require statements, a common PHP security pitfall. This can allow attackers to specify remote URLs or local files, leading to execution of arbitrary code within the web server context. Edge-Themes Overworld is a PHP theme product, likely used in WordPress or similar CMS environments, which are widely deployed across European organizations. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to web applications using the Edge-Themes Overworld theme. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized code execution, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, manipulate website content, or disrupt services. Given the high CVSS score and the lack of required authentication, attackers can remotely compromise vulnerable servers without user interaction, increasing the attack surface. This can impact confidentiality by exposing customer or internal data, integrity by altering website content or backend data, and availability by causing denial-of-service conditions. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, finance, and media, which rely heavily on web presence and data protection, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within networks, escalating the overall risk posture. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the potential for rapid weaponization is high. European data protection regulations like GDPR increase the consequences of breaches resulting from such vulnerabilities, potentially leading to legal and financial penalties.

1. Monitor Edge-Themes official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-69050 and apply updates immediately upon release. 2. In the interim, restrict the PHP include_path directive to trusted directories only, preventing inclusion of remote files. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious include/require parameter manipulations indicative of RFI attempts. 4. Conduct code audits on customizations or integrations involving the Overworld theme to identify and sanitize any user-controlled inputs used in file inclusion. 5. Disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion. 6. Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of a compromised web server on internal systems. 7. Regularly backup web server data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 8. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input validation. 9. Use runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools where feasible to detect and block exploitation attempts in real time. 10. Review and tighten access controls on web server environments to minimize exposure.