CVE-2025-68563 is a critical vulnerability classified as a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) flaw in the WordPress plugin 'Subscribe to Unlock Lite' developed by WP Shuffle. The vulnerability stems from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, which allows an attacker to specify arbitrary files to be included and executed by the server. This can lead to remote code execution (RCE), enabling attackers to run malicious PHP code on the target server without authentication or user interaction. The affected versions include all versions up to and including 1.3.0. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical severity due to network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are currently known, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them highly attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise WordPress sites. The vulnerability could be exploited to deploy backdoors, steal sensitive data, deface websites, or disrupt services. The plugin is commonly used to gate content behind subscription forms, making it popular among content creators and e-commerce sites. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, increasing the urgency for mitigation. The vulnerability was published on December 24, 2025, with the CVE reserved a few days earlier. The vulnerability is tracked by Patchstack, a known WordPress security entity. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, especially in small to medium enterprises and media companies, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to European organizations.

The impact of CVE-2025-68563 on European organizations can be severe. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to full server compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property theft, defacement of websites, and disruption of online services. Organizations relying on the 'Subscribe to Unlock Lite' plugin for gating content or subscription management may face operational downtime and reputational damage. The confidentiality of user data and internal business information is at high risk, as attackers can deploy backdoors or malware to maintain persistence. The integrity of website content and transactional data can be compromised, undermining trust and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Availability may also be affected if attackers deploy ransomware or conduct denial-of-service activities post-compromise. Given the critical CVSS score and the lack of required authentication, the threat is particularly acute for European SMEs and content providers using WordPress, which is highly prevalent in the region.

1. Immediate action should be taken to identify all WordPress installations using the 'Subscribe to Unlock Lite' plugin, especially versions up to 1.3.0. 2. Monitor official WP Shuffle channels and Patchstack for the release of a security patch and apply it promptly once available. 3. Until a patch is released, consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin to eliminate the attack vector. 4. If disabling the plugin is not feasible, implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion, such as requests containing unexpected URL parameters or file paths. 5. Conduct code reviews or use static analysis tools to identify and sanitize any user input used in include/require statements, enforcing strict whitelisting of allowed filenames. 6. Harden PHP configurations by disabling allow_url_include and restricting file system permissions to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 7. Regularly audit WordPress sites for unauthorized file changes or web shells that may indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Educate site administrators on the risks of installing unverified plugins and maintaining up-to-date software. 9. Implement network segmentation and least privilege principles to reduce the blast radius if a compromise occurs. 10. Maintain comprehensive backups and test restoration procedures to recover quickly from any successful attack.