CVE-2025-68996 is a vulnerability identified in the WebCodingPlace Responsive Posts Carousel Pro WordPress plugin, specifically versions up to and including 15.1. The issue arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, which can lead to remote file inclusion (RFI). RFI vulnerabilities allow attackers to include and execute malicious PHP code hosted on remote servers by manipulating input parameters that control file inclusion. This can result in remote code execution, data leakage, or partial denial of service. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R), indicating that exploitation is not trivial and likely requires a logged-in user with elevated rights to trigger the flaw. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity, with network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), and scope change (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality is high, as attackers can execute arbitrary code and potentially access sensitive data. Integrity and availability impacts are moderate to low but still significant due to possible partial service disruption or data manipulation. No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability is published and should be considered a serious risk for affected environments. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation steps.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web applications using the Responsive Posts Carousel Pro plugin. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized remote code execution, allowing attackers to compromise web servers, steal sensitive data, or disrupt services. This is particularly critical for organizations handling personal data under GDPR, as breaches could lead to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The requirement for high privileges and user interaction somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple privileged users or where social engineering could be used to induce interaction. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against media companies, e-commerce platforms, and government websites that rely on WordPress plugins for content display. Additionally, the scope change indicates that the attack could impact other components or systems connected to the vulnerable plugin, increasing potential damage.

1. Monitor official WebCodingPlace channels and Patchstack for the release of a security patch and apply it immediately upon availability. 2. Until a patch is released, restrict access to the plugin’s administrative functions to trusted users only, minimizing the number of users with high privileges. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters that control file inclusion to prevent injection of malicious file paths. 4. Use web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting remote file inclusion. 5. Disable allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives in PHP configuration to reduce the risk of remote file inclusion. 6. Conduct regular audits of installed plugins and remove or replace those that are outdated or no longer maintained. 7. Employ principle of least privilege for user roles in WordPress to limit the potential for exploitation. 8. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to file inclusion or unexpected PHP execution. 9. Consider isolating the web server environment using containerization or sandboxing to limit the impact of potential exploitation.