CVE-2025-68560
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to include arbitrary PHP files via a filename parameter in TheGem Theme Elements for Elementor WordPress plugin. Attackers can execute arbitrary code on the server by including malicious files. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- TheGem Theme Elements for Elementor WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or complete site takeover.
Likely Case
Arbitrary code execution leading to backdoor installation, data exfiltration, or site defacement.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file uploads are restricted and web server runs with minimal privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Remote File Inclusion vulnerabilities are commonly exploited and weaponized quickly in WordPress ecosystem.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 5.10.5.1
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'TheGem Theme Elements for Elementor'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or manually update to latest version. 5. Verify plugin version is above 5.10.5.1.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate thegem-elements-elementor
Web Application Firewall Rule
linuxBlock requests containing suspicious include/require parameters.
ModSecurity rule: SecRule ARGS "@rx (?:include|require).*\.php" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove or disable TheGem Theme Elements plugin immediately
- Implement strict file upload restrictions and disable PHP execution in upload directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → TheGem Theme Elements for Elementor version. If version is 5.10.5.1 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get thegem-elements-elementor --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is above 5.10.5.1 and test functionality remains intact.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual PHP include/require statements in web logs
- Requests with suspicious file parameters like ?file=../../../etc/passwd
- Multiple failed include attempts
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with include/require parameters to plugin endpoints
- Unusual outbound connections from web server after exploitation
SIEM Query:
source="web_access.log" AND (uri="*thegem-elements*" AND (query="*include*" OR query="*require*" OR query="*file=*"))