CVE-2025-60053
Published: 18 December 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-60053 is a high-severity PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98) vulnerability. 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 27.9th 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
Directly mitigates the CVE by requiring timely patching or updating of the vulnerable MaxCube WordPress theme to versions beyond 1.3.1.
Prevents exploitation of the PHP Local File Inclusion by validating and sanitizing untrusted inputs used in include/require statements to ensure only authorized filenames are processed.
Mitigates LFI risks through secure configuration settings in PHP, such as open_basedir restrictions or disabling allow_url_include, limiting arbitrary local file access.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
CVE enables exploitation of public-facing WordPress theme (T1190), allowing local file disclosure (T1005) and access to unsecured credentials in files like wp-config.php (T1552.001) via LFI.
NVD Description
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes MaxCube maxcube allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects MaxCube: from n/a through <= 1.3.1.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2025-60053 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion but enabling PHP Local File Inclusion, in the MaxCube WordPress theme developed by AncoraThemes. This issue affects MaxCube versions from n/a through 1.3.1 inclusive. Published on 2025-12-18, it 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) and maps to CWE-98.
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network by unauthenticated attackers without requiring user interaction, though it demands high attack complexity. Successful exploitation allows attackers to achieve high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially enabling local file disclosure or inclusion of arbitrary server-side files.
Advisories, including the Patchstack database entry at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/maxcube/vulnerability/wordpress-maxcube-theme-1-3-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve, provide details on the vulnerability in the MaxCube theme version 1.3.1. Security practitioners should consult these resources for recommended patches or workarounds.
Details
- CWE(s)