Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery <= 3.59.12 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Local File Inclusion via 'template'

2025-12-17 00:00

Athiwat Tiprasaharn (Jitlada)

Strategic Overview

Status

Patched in 4.0.0

Affected PluginPhoto Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery

Affected Version<= 3.59.12

CVSS8.8High

CVECVE-2025-13641

View all Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery vulnerabilities

Vulnerability Overview

The Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 3.59.12 via the 'template' shortcode parameter. This is due to insufficient path validation that allows absolute paths to be provided. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server, bypassing web server restrictions like .htaccess. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure, code execution in the WordPress context, and potential remote code execution if combined with arbitrary file upload capabilities.

Technical Analysis

REMEDIATION: Update to version 4.0.0, or a newer patched version --- IDENTIFIER: CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')) The PHP application receives input from an upstream component, but it does not restrict or incorrectly restricts the input before its usage in require, include, or similar functions.

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-13641 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/0a01e1c9-67f4-4cc1-b58b-9cc141889d66

CVSS Vector

8.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredLow
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh

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