CVE-2025-68539 is a vulnerability identified in the thembay Fana PHP program, specifically involving improper control of filenames used in include or require statements. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform Remote File Inclusion (RFI) or Local File Inclusion (LFI) attacks by manipulating the filename parameter that the PHP script uses to include files. The affected versions are up to and including 1.1.35. The root cause is insufficient validation or sanitization of user input that controls the file path in PHP's include or require functions. An attacker exploiting this flaw can cause the application to include malicious remote files or sensitive local files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, data leakage, or full system compromise. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability is critical due to the ease of exploitation and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability was reserved in December 2025 and published in February 2026, but no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The lack of patches at the time of reporting requires organizations to implement interim mitigations. This vulnerability is typical in PHP applications that dynamically include files based on user input without proper controls, making it a common and dangerous web application security issue.

The impact of CVE-2025-68539 is significant for organizations using the thembay Fana product, especially those running PHP-based web applications. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to run arbitrary commands on the server, potentially gaining full control over the affected system. This can result in data breaches, defacement of websites, installation of backdoors, or pivoting to internal networks. Confidential information stored on the server may be exposed, and the integrity of the application and data can be compromised. Availability may also be affected if attackers disrupt services or deploy ransomware. The vulnerability does not require authentication, increasing the risk of exploitation by remote attackers. Organizations worldwide that rely on thembay Fana for their web presence or business operations face a heightened risk until the vulnerability is remediated. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate widespread impact but does not reduce the urgency of addressing the flaw.

To mitigate CVE-2025-68539, organizations should first apply any official patches or updates released by thembay for the Fana product as soon as they become available. In the absence of patches, immediate steps include implementing strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data that influence file inclusion paths. Disable the PHP allow_url_include directive to prevent remote file inclusion if it is enabled. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities. Review and restrict file permissions on the server to limit access to sensitive files. Conduct thorough code audits to identify and refactor unsafe include or require statements. Additionally, consider isolating the affected application in a restricted environment or container to limit potential damage. Monitoring logs for unusual file inclusion attempts and anomalous behavior can help detect exploitation attempts early. Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.