CVE-2025-69066 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the AncoraThemes Indoor Plants WordPress theme, specifically affecting versions up to 1.2.7. The vulnerability arises from improper validation and control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements. This flaw enables an attacker to manipulate the input parameter that determines which file is included, allowing them to specify a remote malicious file. When the vulnerable PHP script includes this file, the attacker's code executes on the server with the same privileges as the web server process. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, high attack complexity, and no privileges or user interaction required. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical concern for websites using this theme. The issue is particularly dangerous because it can lead to full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on January 22, 2026, and no official patches have been linked yet, requiring users to implement mitigations proactively.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-69066 can be severe. Many businesses rely on WordPress themes like Indoor Plants for their online presence, including e-commerce, blogs, and corporate websites. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property theft, website defacement, or complete server takeover. This can result in financial losses, reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches, and operational disruptions. The vulnerability's ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication means attackers can automate attacks at scale, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. Organizations in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and SMEs that use this theme are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, compromised servers may be used to launch further attacks within internal networks or as part of botnets, amplifying the threat landscape in Europe.

1. Immediately update the AncoraThemes Indoor Plants theme to the latest version once a patch is released by the vendor. 2. If no official patch is available, implement input validation and sanitization on all parameters controlling file inclusion to restrict them to known safe paths and filenames. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block attempts to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities, such as suspicious URL patterns or remote file references. 4. Disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in PHP configurations to prevent remote file inclusion where possible. 5. Conduct thorough code reviews and vulnerability scans on all WordPress themes and plugins to identify similar issues proactively. 6. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests attempting to include remote files or access unexpected paths. 7. Limit the privileges of the web server user to minimize the impact of a successful exploit. 8. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise.