CVE-2025-2294 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the Kubio AI Page Builder plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 2.5.1. The root cause is an improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (CWE-22), which manifests as a Local File Inclusion (LFI) flaw in the function thekubio_hybrid_theme_load_template. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary files from the server filesystem. Because the plugin does not properly sanitize or restrict these path inputs, attackers can include files containing malicious PHP code, which the server then executes. This can lead to remote code execution (RCE), allowing attackers to bypass access controls, steal sensitive data, or take full control of the affected web server. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it highly exploitable remotely over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this flaw, with attack vector as network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability poses a severe risk to any WordPress site using the Kubio AI Page Builder plugin. The absence of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation. This vulnerability highlights the risks of improper input validation and the importance of secure coding practices in WordPress plugin development.

The impact of CVE-2025-2294 is severe and wide-ranging. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the web server hosting the vulnerable plugin, effectively granting full control over the affected system. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data such as user credentials, configuration files, and database contents. Attackers can also bypass access controls, escalate privileges, deploy web shells, or pivot to other internal systems. The availability of the website or service can be disrupted through malicious code execution or denial-of-service attacks. Given the ubiquity of WordPress and the popularity of page builder plugins, a large number of websites globally are at risk. The lack of authentication or user interaction requirements means attackers can automate exploitation at scale, increasing the likelihood of widespread compromise. Organizations relying on Kubio AI Page Builder for their web presence face significant risks including data breaches, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and operational disruption.

To mitigate CVE-2025-2294, organizations should immediately take the following specific actions: 1) Check for and apply any official patches or updates from the Kubio AI Page Builder vendor as soon as they become available. 2) If no patch is available, temporarily disable or uninstall the Kubio AI Page Builder plugin to eliminate the attack surface. 3) Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts targeting the vulnerable function, focusing on requests attempting to include files outside allowed directories. 4) Restrict file upload capabilities and validate file types rigorously to prevent uploading of malicious PHP files disguised as images or other safe types. 5) Employ principle of least privilege on the web server, ensuring the WordPress process has minimal filesystem permissions, preventing access to sensitive directories. 6) Monitor server logs for unusual file inclusion attempts or unexpected PHP execution patterns. 7) Conduct a thorough security audit and incident response readiness to detect and respond to potential exploitation. 8) Educate development teams on secure coding practices to prevent similar path traversal vulnerabilities in future plugins or custom code.