CVE-2025-69356 is a vulnerability categorized as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program,' commonly known as a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) or Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability. It affects the CodexThemes TheGem Theme Elements plugin for Elementor, a widely used WordPress theme extension, specifically versions up to 5.11.0. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input used in PHP include or require statements. This improper control allows an attacker with low privileges to manipulate the filename parameter to include arbitrary files from local or remote sources. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.5 (high), reflecting network attack vector (AV:N), high attack complexity (AC:H), low privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Exploiting this flaw can lead to remote code execution, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or service disruption. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a critical concern for websites using this plugin. The vulnerability was published on January 6, 2026, with no patches currently linked, indicating that users must monitor vendor updates closely. TheGem Theme Elements is popular among WordPress users leveraging Elementor for site building, increasing the potential attack surface. The vulnerability's exploitation requires sending crafted requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoints, leveraging the improper filename control to include malicious files.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-69356 can be severe, especially for those relying on WordPress websites using TheGem Theme Elements plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify website content, inject malware, or disrupt services. This can result in data breaches, loss of customer trust, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), financial losses, and reputational damage. E-commerce platforms, government portals, and corporate websites using this plugin are at heightened risk. The high attack complexity somewhat limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks against high-value European entities. Additionally, compromised websites can be leveraged as pivot points for further attacks within organizational networks. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score demands urgent attention. The vulnerability also poses risks to hosting providers and managed service providers supporting European clients, potentially affecting multiple organizations if exploited.

1. Immediate mitigation involves monitoring for vendor patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and applying them promptly once available. 2. Until patches are released, disable or remove the TheGem Theme Elements plugin if feasible, especially on critical or public-facing sites. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters related to file inclusion, ideally through custom code or security plugins. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious include/require requests or attempts to manipulate file paths. 5. Restrict PHP include paths using configuration directives (e.g., open_basedir) to limit file inclusion to trusted directories. 6. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of WordPress themes and plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. 7. Monitor web server logs for anomalous requests targeting the plugin endpoints to detect early exploitation attempts. 8. Educate site administrators about the risks of installing unverified plugins and the importance of timely updates. 9. Consider isolating WordPress instances in containerized or sandboxed environments to limit the blast radius of potential compromises. 10. Backup website data regularly and verify restoration procedures to minimize downtime in case of successful attacks.