CVE-2025-31427 is a high-severity reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Invico WordPress Consulting Business Theme developed by designthemes. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, classified under CWE-79. Specifically, the theme fails to adequately sanitize or encode user-supplied input before reflecting it back in the web page, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts. This vulnerability affects versions up to 1.9 of the Invico theme. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating a high impact with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L, meaning the attack can be launched remotely over the network without privileges but requires user interaction (e.g., clicking a crafted link). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent, as the attacker can execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. This could lead to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The reflected XSS nature means the attack payload is not stored but delivered via crafted URLs or input fields, making phishing or social engineering a likely attack vector. The vulnerability's scope is limited to websites using the Invico theme, which is a niche WordPress theme for consulting businesses.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends on the adoption of the Invico theme within their web infrastructure. Organizations using this theme for their public-facing websites risk exposure to reflected XSS attacks, which can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or damage brand reputation through defacement or malicious redirects. Given the theme's consulting business focus, affected sites may include professional services firms, potentially exposing client data or undermining trust. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malware or conduct targeted phishing campaigns against European users. The reflected XSS can also be chained with other vulnerabilities to escalate attacks. While the direct impact on critical infrastructure is limited, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using this theme are at higher risk. The vulnerability could also affect GDPR compliance if personal data is compromised through session hijacking or data theft, leading to regulatory penalties.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify if the Invico theme is in use, particularly versions up to 1.9. If found, they should temporarily disable or replace the theme with a secure alternative until an official patch is released. As no patches are currently available, applying Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block typical reflected XSS payloads targeting the theme's input vectors can provide interim protection. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Website administrators should also ensure all WordPress core, plugins, and themes are regularly updated and monitor security advisories from designthemes and WordPress security communities. User education to recognize suspicious links can reduce the risk of successful exploitation via phishing. Finally, logging and monitoring web traffic for unusual patterns can help detect attempted exploitation.