CVE-2025-31037 is a high-severity reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the favethemes Homey WordPress theme, affecting versions up to 2.4.5. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. Specifically, the theme fails to adequately sanitize or encode input parameters before reflecting them in the HTML output, enabling an attacker to inject malicious scripts. This reflected XSS can be triggered remotely without authentication (AV:N/PR:N), requiring only user interaction (UI:R), such as clicking a crafted link. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as malicious scripts can steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or disrupt site functionality. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating a high severity with a scope change (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable scope. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2025 and published in July 2025. Given the widespread use of WordPress themes like Homey for real estate and property rental websites, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using this theme without proper input validation or mitigation controls.

For European organizations, especially those operating real estate, property rental, or similar service websites using the Homey theme, this vulnerability can lead to significant security incidents. Attackers exploiting this reflected XSS can hijack user sessions, steal sensitive user data, or perform unauthorized actions, potentially leading to data breaches or reputational damage. The impact extends to customers and partners interacting with affected websites, undermining trust and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Additionally, the scope change in the vulnerability suggests that exploitation could affect multiple components or user roles, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. The reflected nature means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to lure users into clicking malicious links, amplifying the threat. Given the high internet penetration and digital service reliance in Europe, the potential for user impact and regulatory consequences is substantial.

Organizations should immediately audit their websites to identify the use of the Homey theme, particularly versions up to 2.4.5. Until an official patch is released, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common XSS attack patterns targeting the theme's parameters. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts. Sanitize and encode all user inputs and outputs rigorously, especially those reflected in URLs or page content. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking suspicious links. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual request patterns indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. Once a vendor patch or update becomes available, prioritize its deployment. Additionally, consider isolating or restricting access to vulnerable components and performing regular security assessments to detect similar vulnerabilities.