CVE-2025-68985 in Aora Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2025
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Aora aora allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Aora: from n/a through <= 1.3.15.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2025
The CVE-2025-68985 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw in the thembay Aora aora application that enables attackers to exploit improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-98 category, which specifically addresses Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement, making it a direct descendant of the well-known remote file inclusion attack vector that has plagued PHP applications for years. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is subsequently used in PHP include or require functions, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary file paths and execute remote code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Aora application's handling of file inclusion mechanisms where user-controllable parameters are directly passed to PHP's include or require functions without adequate sanitization or validation. When an attacker can manipulate parameters such as file names, module identifiers, or path references through input fields, URL parameters, or API endpoints, they can potentially load and execute arbitrary PHP files from remote servers or local filesystem locations. This flaw exists in Aora versions ranging from the initial release through version 1.3.15, indicating a persistent security gap that has not been adequately addressed in the application's codebase. The vulnerability specifically allows PHP Local File Inclusion, meaning attackers can leverage this weakness to access and execute local files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server with the privileges of the web application. This could result in full system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within network infrastructure, and establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files, modify existing application components, access sensitive database information, or even use the compromised server as a launch point for attacks against other systems. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that the underlying code pattern has not been properly remediated, making it a particularly concerning issue for organizations relying on this application. The potential for this vulnerability to be exploited in automated attack campaigns makes it especially dangerous in environments where such applications are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-68985 should focus on immediate code-level remediation through input validation and parameter sanitization. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied input used in include/require statements undergoes strict validation against a known whitelist of acceptable values, preventing any arbitrary file path injection. The implementation of PHP's allow_url_include directive should be disabled to prevent remote file inclusion attacks, while proper input sanitization functions should be employed to strip or encode potentially malicious characters. Additionally, the application should implement proper access controls and file permission settings to limit what files can be accessed through the vulnerable include mechanisms. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar patterns throughout the application codebase. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, with potential T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment as related techniques that attackers might employ to exploit this weakness. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.