CVE-2025-62053
Published: 06 November 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-62053 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 33.8th 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).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2025-62053 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program, classified as a PHP Remote File Inclusion vulnerability (CWE-98), affecting the Houzez WordPress theme developed by favethemes. This issue impacts Houzez versions from n/a through those prior to 4.2.0.
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit the vulnerability over the network without requiring user interaction, though exploitation demands high attack complexity (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U). Successful attacks enable high-impact consequences on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1, potentially allowing arbitrary file inclusion and related compromises.
The Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/houzez/vulnerability/wordpress-houzez-theme-4-2-0-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve documents the vulnerability and indicates mitigation through updating to Houzez version 4.2.0 or later, where the issue is addressed.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-38073
Vulnerability details
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in favethemes Houzez houzez.This issue affects Houzez: from n/a through < 4.2.0.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The vulnerability is a remote file inclusion flaw in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly exploited unauthenticated over the network, mapping to exploitation of public-facing applications.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly mitigates the PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability by requiring timely flaw remediation through patching the Houzez theme to version 4.2.0 or later.
Addresses the core issue of improper filename control in PHP include/require by enforcing validation of inputs to block arbitrary file inclusion attacks.
Mitigates exploitation by mandating secure configuration settings for PHP environments, such as open_basedir restrictions or disabling risky functions in WordPress themes.