CVE-2025-69087 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which involves improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements within the jwsthemes FreeAgent product, versions up to 2.1.2. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform remote file inclusion (RFI), a critical flaw where external files can be included and executed by the PHP interpreter. The root cause is insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input that controls the filename parameter in include/require functions. Exploiting this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, leading to full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 reflects a high severity due to the vulnerability being remotely exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, and impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are reported yet, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and thus poses a significant risk. The absence of patches at the time of disclosure means organizations must implement interim mitigations. The vulnerability affects web servers running FreeAgent, a PHP-based theme or CMS product, which is commonly used for website management. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload malicious scripts or include remote malicious files, bypassing security controls. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or where web applications have elevated privileges.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-69087 could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to sensitive data, full system compromise, defacement of websites, and disruption of business operations. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers can execute arbitrary code and access protected information. Integrity is compromised through potential modification or deletion of data and system files. Availability can be impacted by denial-of-service conditions caused by malicious payloads or system instability. Organizations relying on FreeAgent for website or application management may face reputational damage and regulatory penalties, especially under GDPR, if personal data is exposed. The high CVSS score indicates that exploitation is feasible remotely without authentication, increasing the threat surface. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the public disclosure increases the likelihood of future attacks. European entities with public-facing web infrastructure using FreeAgent are particularly vulnerable, and the impact could extend to supply chain partners if compromised systems are interconnected.

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configurations by setting 'allow_url_include' to 'Off' and 'allow_url_fopen' to 'Off' where feasible. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user inputs that influence file inclusion logic, employing whitelisting of allowed filenames or paths. Web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion. Monitoring and logging of file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts early. Since no official patch is currently available, organizations should consider isolating or restricting access to vulnerable FreeAgent installations, possibly migrating to alternative solutions or versions not affected by this vulnerability. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate this and related vulnerabilities. Once patches are released, immediate application is critical. Additionally, educating developers and administrators about secure coding practices related to file inclusion can prevent similar issues.