Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in StylemixThemes Consulting con...
Description
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in StylemixThemes Consulting consulting allows PHP Local File Inclusion
AI Analyst Comment
Remediation
Apply vendor security updates immediately. Monitor for exploitation attempts and review access logs.
Executive Summary:
A high-severity vulnerability has been discovered in multiple StylemixThemes products, identified as CVE-2025-64359. This flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to trick the website into revealing sensitive files from the server's local filesystem, potentially exposing confidential data such as configuration details and user credentials, which could lead to a full server compromise. Organizations using the affected software should prioritize applying the vendor-provided security updates to mitigate this significant risk.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-ID: CVE-2025-64359
Affected Software: StylemixThemes Multiple Products
Affected Versions: See vendor advisory for specific affected versions
Vulnerability: This vulnerability is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) flaw resulting from an Improper Control of a Filename for an Include/Require Statement in the PHP code. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is used to construct a file path for functions like
include()orrequire(). An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this by crafting a malicious request, typically manipulating a URL parameter with directory traversal sequences (e.g.,../../), to force the application to include and display the contents of arbitrary files on the server's filesystem. This could expose sensitive information likewp-config.php,/etc/passwd, or other critical configuration files.Business Impact
This is a High severity vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5. Successful exploitation could have a severe impact on the business by compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the web application and underlying server. An attacker could read sensitive configuration files to obtain database credentials, which could then be used to access, modify, or exfiltrate sensitive company or customer data. This exposure could lead to a significant data breach, reputational damage, regulatory fines, and a loss of customer trust. In scenarios where an attacker can combine this LFI with a file upload capability, it could be escalated to full Remote Code Execution (RCE), allowing for a complete takeover of the server.
Remediation Plan
Immediate Action: The primary remediation is to apply the security patches provided by the vendor, StylemixThemes, to all affected products immediately. Before patching, create a backup of your website and database. After applying the update, verify that the website is functioning correctly.
Proactive Monitoring: Review historical and current web server access logs for patterns indicative of LFI exploitation attempts. Look for suspicious requests containing directory traversal payloads (
../,..%2f,..%c0%af), file paths to sensitive system files (e.g.,/etc/passwd,wp-config.php), or PHP wrappers likephp://filter. Implement alerts for such patterns to enable rapid detection of future attempts.Compensating Controls: If patching cannot be performed immediately, the following compensating controls can help reduce the risk:
allow_url_includeandallow_url_fopenare set toOffin thephp.iniconfiguration file to prevent this vulnerability from being escalated to the more critical Remote File Inclusion (RFI).Exploitation Status
Public Exploit Available: false
Analyst Notes: As of October 31, 2025, there are no known public exploits or proof-of-concept code available for this vulnerability. However, LFI vulnerabilities are well-understood, and skilled attackers can often develop private exploits quickly following a public disclosure. The vulnerability is not currently listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, but organizations should monitor for this status to change if widespread exploitation is detected in the wild.
Analyst Recommendation
Due to the High severity (CVSS 7.5) of this vulnerability and its potential to cause a significant data breach, immediate action is required. It is strongly recommended to apply the vendor-supplied security patches to all affected StylemixThemes products as the top priority. If patching is delayed, immediately implement compensating controls, particularly by deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block exploitation attempts. Proactive monitoring of web server logs should be enhanced to detect any signs of compromise. Although this vulnerability is not currently on the CISA KEV list, its high potential for abuse warrants immediate and decisive remediation.