CVE-2025-58926
Published: 18 December 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-58926 is a high-severity PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98) vulnerability in Axiomthemes Cerebrum. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 43.8th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Requires validation of filenames used in PHP include/require statements, directly preventing local file inclusion by rejecting malicious inputs.
Mandates timely remediation of identified flaws, such as patching the Cerebrum theme vulnerability to eliminate the improper filename control issue.
Restricts inputs to predefined safe filenames or paths for PHP includes, limiting the attack surface for local file inclusion exploits.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The vulnerability is a remote file inclusion flaw in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly enabling exploitation of a public-facing application (T1190).
NVD Description
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Cerebrum cerebrum allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Cerebrum: from n/a through <= 1.12.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-58926 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified under CWE-98 and commonly known as PHP Remote File Inclusion, which enables PHP Local File Inclusion in the Cerebrum WordPress theme developed by axiomthemes. This issue affects all versions of Cerebrum from n/a through 1.12. The vulnerability was published on 2025-12-18 and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity due to network accessibility despite high attack complexity.
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without privileges or user interaction, leveraging the flawed filename control in PHP include/require statements to perform local file inclusion. Successful exploitation could result in high impacts across confidentiality, integrity, and availability, such as unauthorized access to sensitive local files or potential code execution depending on the included files.
The Patchstack advisory provides details on this WordPress theme vulnerability, including recommended mitigations such as updating to a patched version where available; practitioners should consult https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/cerebrum/vulnerability/wordpress-cerebrum-theme-1-12-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve for specific patch information and workaround guidance.
Details
- CWE(s)