CVE-2025-32928 is a critical security vulnerability classified under CWE-502, which involves the deserialization of untrusted data in the ThemeGoods Altair product, specifically affecting versions up to 5.2.2. Deserialization vulnerabilities occur when an application deserializes data from untrusted sources without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the serialized objects. This can lead to object injection attacks, where maliciously crafted serialized data can execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service. In this case, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the deserialization process without requiring authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), making it a critical risk. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the high CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the potential for severe damage if exploited. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation. The vulnerability affects the ThemeGoods Altair theme, which is commonly used in WordPress environments for website design and functionality. Given the nature of object injection, attackers could potentially execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, leading to full system compromise, data theft, or website defacement.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat, especially to those relying on WordPress websites utilizing the ThemeGoods Altair theme. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and internal systems, severely impacting confidentiality. Integrity could be compromised through unauthorized code execution, allowing attackers to alter website content or inject malicious scripts, potentially damaging brand reputation and customer trust. Availability is also at risk, as attackers could disrupt website operations, causing downtime and loss of business continuity. Sectors such as e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe that maintain public-facing websites with this theme are particularly vulnerable. The critical nature of the vulnerability means that even organizations with limited security expertise could be targeted by automated attacks, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation. Additionally, the absence of authentication and user interaction requirements lowers the barrier for attackers, making it easier to launch remote attacks at scale.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the use of the ThemeGoods Altair theme, particularly versions up to 5.2.2. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Disable or restrict the functionality that handles serialized data within the Altair theme, if feasible, to prevent deserialization of untrusted input. 2) Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious serialized payloads or object injection attempts targeting the theme. 3) Restrict access to the WordPress admin and theme files via IP whitelisting or VPN to reduce exposure. 4) Regularly monitor web server logs for unusual requests or payloads indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools that can detect and block malicious deserialization at runtime. 6) Prepare for rapid patch deployment by subscribing to ThemeGoods security advisories and applying updates as soon as they become available. 7) Conduct security awareness training for web administrators on the risks of deserialization vulnerabilities and secure coding practices. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice and focus on immediate risk reduction and detection until a vendor patch is available.