CVE-2025-68546 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-98, which pertains to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements within PHP applications. Specifically, this vulnerability affects Thembay's Nika product up to version 1.2.14. The flaw allows an attacker to perform remote file inclusion (RFI), a critical security issue where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter to include and execute malicious code hosted on a remote server. This occurs because the application does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that determines which files are included. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:H) and requires low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is severe, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability consequences (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code, steal sensitive data, modify or delete data, and disrupt service availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially for web-facing applications. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by affected organizations. The vulnerability was reserved and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a critical risk to web applications built on or incorporating Thembay's Nika PHP program. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulate or destroy data, and disrupt business operations. This could result in data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties under GDPR. Organizations relying on Nika for e-commerce, content management, or other web services are particularly vulnerable. The high CVSS score reflects the potential for widespread impact if exploited, especially in environments where PHP configurations allow remote file inclusion or where input validation is insufficient. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense but also means attackers may develop exploits soon. The vulnerability's exploitation could also serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within networks, increasing the overall risk posture of affected entities.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of Thembay Nika and identify affected versions (up to 1.2.14). Until official patches are released, implement strict input validation and sanitization to ensure that include/require parameters cannot be manipulated to reference remote or unauthorized files. Disable PHP's allow_url_include directive to prevent remote file inclusion at the configuration level. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block attempts to exploit file inclusion vulnerabilities. Conduct code reviews to identify and refactor unsafe include/require statements, replacing dynamic includes with fixed paths where possible. Monitor logs for suspicious requests targeting file inclusion parameters. Prepare incident response plans specific to web application compromise scenarios. Once vendor patches become available, prioritize their deployment in all affected environments. Additionally, restrict network access to administration interfaces and ensure least privilege principles are enforced for application users.