CVE-2025-8142 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Soledad WordPress theme developed by pencidesign, specifically all versions up to and including 8.6.7. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-98, which involves improper control of filenames used in include or require statements in PHP programs, commonly known as Remote File Inclusion (RFI) or Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerabilities. In this case, the flaw exists in the handling of the 'header_layout' parameter. Authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the 'header_layout' parameter to include arbitrary PHP files from the server. This inclusion allows the attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code within the context of the web server process. Since Contributors can upload files (including PHP files if upload restrictions are lax or bypassed), the attacker can upload malicious PHP scripts and then include them via the vulnerable parameter, leading to full code execution. The impact includes bypassing access controls, unauthorized data access, and potentially full server compromise. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without user interaction, requires low attack complexity, and only needs authenticated access at Contributor level, which is a relatively low privilege level in WordPress. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits are reported in the wild yet. However, the presence of this vulnerability in a popular WordPress theme poses a significant risk to websites using Soledad, especially those allowing Contributor-level access to untrusted users or third parties.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, particularly for businesses and institutions relying on WordPress websites using the Soledad theme. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, including personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The ability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server can lead to full website defacement, data theft, or pivoting to internal networks, threatening operational continuity and data integrity. Organizations with multi-user WordPress environments where contributors or similar roles are assigned to external collaborators or less trusted users are especially vulnerable. The impact extends to e-commerce, government, education, and media sectors where WordPress is widely used. Given the high CVSS score and the ease of exploitation with low privileges, European entities must prioritize mitigation to prevent potential breaches and compliance violations.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting Contributor-level access to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of malicious uploads or parameter manipulation. 2. Implement strict file upload controls, including MIME type validation, file extension whitelisting, and scanning uploaded files for malicious content to prevent uploading executable PHP files. 3. Apply Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the 'header_layout' parameter or attempts to include files via URL parameters. 4. Monitor web server logs for unusual include requests or unexpected PHP file executions. 5. Disable PHP execution in directories used for file uploads if possible, to prevent execution of uploaded scripts. 6. Regularly update the Soledad theme once a patch is released by the vendor; meanwhile, consider temporarily switching to an alternative theme or removing the vulnerable theme if feasible. 7. Conduct security audits and penetration testing focusing on WordPress user roles and file inclusion vulnerabilities. 8. Educate site administrators and content contributors about the risks of uploading untrusted files and the importance of adhering to security policies.