CVE-2025-69080 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-98, indicating improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements within the JanStudio Gecko application. This vulnerability enables Remote File Inclusion (RFI), where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter to include arbitrary remote files, leading to remote code execution on the affected server. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that determines which files are included during runtime. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, but the attack complexity is high, likely due to the need to bypass some access controls or input restrictions. The vulnerability affects all versions of Gecko up to 1.9.8. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to data theft, defacement, or denial of service. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild, but the high CVSS score (8.1) reflects the critical nature of the flaw. JanStudio Gecko is a PHP-based web application framework or CMS, commonly used to build dynamic websites, making this vulnerability a significant risk for web-facing infrastructure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to web servers running JanStudio Gecko, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers could execute arbitrary code remotely, steal sensitive data, modify or delete content, or disrupt services. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where data confidentiality and service availability are paramount. The ease of remote exploitation without authentication increases the risk of widespread attacks. Organizations relying on Gecko for customer-facing websites or internal portals may face reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR due to data breaches, and operational downtime. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity demands urgent attention. Additionally, the high attack complexity might limit opportunistic attacks but does not eliminate targeted threat actor interest.

1. Immediate code audit and review of all include/require statements in the Gecko application to ensure proper validation and sanitization of filename inputs. 2. Implement strict whitelisting of allowable files for inclusion rather than relying on user input directly. 3. Apply any available patches or updates from JanStudio as soon as they are released. 4. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block suspicious requests containing remote file inclusion patterns or unusual URL parameters. 5. Restrict outbound HTTP/HTTPS connections from web servers to prevent fetching of remote malicious files. 6. Use PHP configuration directives such as allow_url_include=Off to disable remote file inclusion globally if not required. 7. Conduct regular security testing, including dynamic application security testing (DAST) to identify similar vulnerabilities. 8. Monitor logs for unusual file inclusion attempts or anomalous web requests. 9. Educate developers on secure coding practices related to file inclusion and input validation. 10. Isolate critical web applications in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if compromised.