CVE-2025-69356: TheGem Elements Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69356 Overview

CVE-2025-69356 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor) plugin, developed by CodexThemes. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters for include/require statements in the PHP program, classified as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

This vulnerability allows attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure, authentication bypass, or in some cases, remote code execution if combined with other techniques such as log poisoning or file upload vulnerabilities.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or potentially escalate to remote code execution through log injection or uploaded file inclusion techniques.

Affected Products

• TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor) plugin version 5.11.0 and earlier
• WordPress installations using vulnerable versions of thegem-elements-elementor
• All CodexThemes TheGem theme users utilizing the Elementor integration plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-06 - CVE-2025-69356 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69356

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in TheGem Theme Elements for Elementor plugin due to insufficient validation of user-controlled input that gets passed to PHP include or require statements. This type of vulnerability (CWE-98) occurs when an application dynamically includes files based on user-supplied input without proper sanitization or allowlist validation.

In the context of WordPress plugins, this commonly manifests when template files, module components, or partial views are loaded based on request parameters. When these parameters are not properly validated, an attacker can manipulate them to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress environments are particularly dangerous because they can be used to read sensitive files such as wp-config.php (containing database credentials), .htaccess files, or other configuration files that may expose administrative credentials or API keys.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements within the TheGem Theme Elements plugin. The affected code fails to implement adequate input validation, path normalization, or allowlist-based filtering before including files dynamically.

WordPress plugins that extend Elementor functionality often need to load template parts or widget files dynamically. When developers use request parameters or user input to construct file paths for inclusion without proper sanitization, it creates an opportunity for path traversal and file inclusion attacks.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves manipulating input parameters that control which files are included by the vulnerable PHP code. Attackers typically exploit LFI vulnerabilities by using directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to navigate outside the intended directory and access sensitive files elsewhere on the server.

Common exploitation targets include:

• WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php) containing database credentials
• System files like /etc/passwd for user enumeration
• Log files that may contain injected PHP code for chained RCE attacks
• Session files or other temporary files that could be leveraged for further exploitation

The vulnerability can be accessed through the network as it affects a web application component, requiring no prior authentication in typical LFI scenarios targeting WordPress plugins.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69356

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual access patterns to files outside the plugin's directory structure
• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting TheGem plugin endpoints
• Access log entries showing attempts to include sensitive files like wp-config.php or /etc/passwd
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or "file not found" errors for unexpected paths

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect path traversal patterns in requests to WordPress plugin endpoints
• Monitor server access logs for requests containing encoded or literal directory traversal sequences
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized reads of sensitive configuration files
• Configure IDS/IPS signatures to alert on LFI attack patterns targeting Elementor-related endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the TheGem Theme Elements plugin and monitor for anomalous file access patterns
• Set up alerts for access to sensitive configuration files from unexpected sources or at unusual times
• Implement real-time monitoring of web server logs with correlation rules for LFI attack signatures
• Use SentinelOne Singularity to monitor for suspicious file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69356

Immediate Actions Required

• Update TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor) plugin to a version newer than 5.11.0 when a patched version becomes available
• Review and restrict file permissions on sensitive WordPress files such as wp-config.php
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attacks targeting your WordPress installation
• Audit access logs for any signs of exploitation attempts against the vulnerable plugin

Patch Information

Plugin users should monitor CodexThemes' official channels and the WordPress plugin repository for security updates addressing this vulnerability. Until a patch is available, implementing the workarounds below is strongly recommended.

For additional technical details and patch status, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Database Entry.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable TheGem Theme Elements for Elementor plugin if it is not critical to site functionality
• Implement server-level restrictions using .htaccess or nginx configuration to block requests containing path traversal patterns
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically targeting LFI attacks
• Apply PHP configuration hardening by setting open_basedir to restrict file access to the WordPress directory

# Apache .htaccess rule to block common LFI patterns
# Add to WordPress root .htaccess file
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (%2e%2e/) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>