CVE-2025-13641: smub photo gallery, sliders, proofing and themes – nextgen gallery PHP Remote File Inclusion

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-13641 is a high (CVSS 8.8) PHP Remote File Inclusion vulnerability in smub photo gallery, sliders, proofing and themes – nextgen gallery. EPSS estimates a 0.75% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 54.4% of scored vulnerabilities. Fixed in 4.0.0.

Timeline

1. 18-12-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 08-04-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

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.

• CWE-98Improper 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.