CVE-2025-6253 is a vulnerability identified in the UiCore Elements – Free Elementor widgets and templates plugin for WordPress, specifically in versions up to and including 1.3.0. The root cause is a missing authorization check (CWE-862) in the prepare_template() function, which fails to verify user capabilities before processing a filename parameter. This lack of access control allows unauthenticated attackers to specify arbitrary filenames and read their contents from the server filesystem. The vulnerability is categorized as an Arbitrary File Read, which can lead to exposure of sensitive files such as wp-config.php, .htaccess, or other critical data stored on the server. Exploitation requires no privileges or user interaction and can be performed remotely over the network, increasing the attack surface. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting high impact on confidentiality with no impact on integrity or availability. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin, which is commonly used in WordPress sites leveraging Elementor for page building and templating. The missing authorization check represents a critical security oversight that undermines the plugin’s security posture and can be leveraged for further attacks or reconnaissance by threat actors.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-6253 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to arbitrary file read capabilities. Attackers can access configuration files, database credentials, API keys, or other sensitive data stored on the web server, potentially leading to further compromise such as privilege escalation, data theft, or lateral movement within the network. Organizations relying on the UiCore Elements plugin for their WordPress sites face risks of data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory non-compliance if sensitive data is exposed. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, it can be exploited at scale by automated scanning tools or opportunistic attackers. The impact is particularly severe for websites hosting sensitive or regulated data, including e-commerce, healthcare, financial services, and government portals. Additionally, the exposure of internal files can aid attackers in crafting more targeted attacks or deploying malware. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for remediation, but the ease of exploitation and high confidentiality impact make this a critical threat to address promptly.

1. Immediate mitigation involves updating the UiCore Elements – Free Elementor widgets and templates plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. Monitor official channels for patch releases. 2. Until a patch is released, restrict access to the affected plugin files and directories using web server configuration (e.g., .htaccess rules) to prevent unauthorized HTTP requests targeting the prepare_template() function or related endpoints. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit arbitrary file read patterns, such as requests containing unusual filename parameters. 4. Conduct a thorough audit of server files to identify any sensitive information exposed and rotate any credentials or keys that may have been compromised. 5. Harden WordPress installations by limiting plugin usage to trusted sources and regularly reviewing plugin permissions and capabilities. 6. Employ principle of least privilege for file system permissions to minimize the impact of arbitrary file reads. 7. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns or repeated attempts to access sensitive files. 8. Educate site administrators about the risks of installing plugins without proper security reviews and encourage timely updates.