CVE-2025-62055
Published: 06 November 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-62055 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-2025-62055 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98), in the Elated-Themes Academist WordPress theme. This issue affects Academist versions from n/a through those prior to 1.3. The vulnerability was published on 2025-11-06 and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network, though it requires high attack complexity and no user interaction. Successful exploitation enables high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, such as potential remote code execution or arbitrary file inclusion depending on server configuration.
The Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/academist/vulnerability/wordpress-academist-theme-1-3-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve details mitigation, recommending an update to Academist version 1.3 or later to address the vulnerability.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-38072
Vulnerability details
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Elated-Themes Academist academist.This issue affects Academist: from n/a through < 1.3.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The vulnerability is an unauthenticated remote file inclusion flaw in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly enabling exploitation of a public-facing web application for initial access and potential RCE.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly remediates the PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability by updating the Academist WordPress theme to version 1.3 or later as recommended by Patchstack.
Validates filenames supplied to PHP include/require statements in the Academist theme to block arbitrary remote or malicious file inclusion.
Restricts inputs to PHP include parameters in the Academist theme to authorized types, formats, and values, preventing exploitation of improper filename control.