CVE-2025-64223

High

Published: 18 December 2025

Published

18 December 2025

Modified

15 April 2026

KEV Added

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Patch

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CVSS Score v3.1 8.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Score 0.0042 32.9th percentile

Risk Priority 16 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Summary

CVE-2025-64223 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 32.9th 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 RA-5 (Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning) and SI-10 (Information Input Validation).

Deeper analysis

CVE-2025-64223 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, described as a PHP Remote File Inclusion issue that enables PHP Local File Inclusion, in the PenciDesign PenNews WordPress theme. The vulnerability affects PenNews versions from n/a through those prior to 6.7.3 and is associated with CWE-98. It 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), indicating high severity due to potential network-based exploitation with significant impacts.

A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability over the network without requiring user interaction, though exploitation demands high attack complexity. Successful attacks could result in high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, potentially allowing the inclusion and execution of local PHP files, leading to unauthorized access, data disclosure, modification, or system disruption on affected WordPress sites using the vulnerable theme.

The Patchstack advisory details this Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the PenNews WordPress theme and confirms it is resolved in version 6.7.3. Mitigation involves updating to PenNews 6.7.3 or later to address the improper filename control in PHP include/require statements.

EU & UK References

🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-204075

Vulnerability details

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in PenciDesign PenNews pennews allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects PenNews: from n/a through < 6.7.3.

CWE(s): CWE-98

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access

Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.

attack.mitre.org →

T1005 Data from Local System Collection

Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems, configuration files, local databases, virtual machine files, or process memory, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.

attack.mitre.org →

T1552.001 Credentials In Files Credential Access

Adversaries may search local file systems and remote file shares for files containing insecurely stored credentials.

attack.mitre.org →

Why these techniques?

Public-facing WordPress theme vulnerability allows remote exploitation (T1190). Enables unauthorized access to and collection of local files including potentially sensitive data and credentials (T1005, T1081).

Confidence: HIGH · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0