CVE-2025-68537 is a critical vulnerability classified as Remote File Inclusion (RFI) in the thembay Zota PHP program, affecting versions up to and including 1.3.14. The root cause is improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, which allows an attacker to specify a remote file to be included and executed by the server. This vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without any authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The impact covers confidentiality, integrity, and availability, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, modify or delete files, and disrupt services. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the critical CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the high risk posed by this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects the thembay Zota product, which is a PHP-based application often used in web environments. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for organizations to implement interim mitigations. The vulnerability was reserved and published in December 2025, indicating it is a recent and emerging threat.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-68537 can be severe. Organizations running thembay Zota on their web servers risk full system compromise, including unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and service disruption. This can lead to data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory fines and reputational damage. Critical infrastructure and e-commerce platforms using Zota may face downtime or defacement, affecting business continuity and customer trust. The vulnerability’s ease of exploitation and network accessibility mean attackers can rapidly target vulnerable systems across Europe. Additionally, the potential for attackers to deploy ransomware or use compromised servers as pivot points for further attacks increases the threat landscape. The lack of known exploits currently does not diminish the urgency, as attackers often develop exploits quickly after disclosure. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which rely heavily on web applications, are particularly at risk.

To mitigate CVE-2025-68537, organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of thembay Zota once available. Until a patch is released, implement the following specific measures: 1) Disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in the PHP configuration to prevent remote file inclusion. 2) Apply strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters that influence file inclusion paths, using whitelisting approaches where possible. 3) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious include/require requests. 4) Restrict file system permissions to limit the PHP process’s ability to access or execute unauthorized files. 5) Monitor server logs for anomalous file inclusion attempts or unexpected remote requests. 6) Conduct code reviews to identify and refactor unsafe dynamic file inclusion patterns. 7) Isolate the affected application in a segmented network zone to reduce lateral movement risk. 8) Educate developers and administrators about secure coding practices related to file inclusion. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice and address the specific nature of this vulnerability.