CVE-2025-49406 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the favethemes Houzez product, a popular real estate WordPress theme. The vulnerability arises from missing or insufficient access control checks, allowing unauthorized users to access functionality that should be restricted by Access Control Lists (ACLs). Specifically, this means that certain functions within the Houzez theme can be invoked without proper authorization verification, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions or access data that should be off-limits. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating a moderate risk. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N) reveals that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without any privileges or user interaction, has low attack complexity, and impacts integrity but not confidentiality or availability. The scope remains unchanged, meaning the vulnerability affects only the Houzez component itself. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The affected versions include all versions up to 4.1.1, though the exact range is unspecified (noted as 'n/a'). This vulnerability could allow unauthorized modification or manipulation of certain theme functionalities, potentially leading to data integrity issues or unauthorized changes in the website's behavior or content management.

For European organizations using the Houzez theme on their WordPress sites, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized actions that could compromise the integrity of their web content or business logic. Real estate agencies, property listing platforms, and related service providers leveraging Houzez could face unauthorized modifications to listings, pricing, or user-generated content, undermining trust and potentially causing financial or reputational damage. Since the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or availability, direct data leaks or service outages are less likely; however, integrity violations can still disrupt business operations and client relationships. Given the remote exploitability without authentication or user interaction, attackers could automate exploitation attempts, increasing risk. Organizations in Europe with public-facing real estate platforms should be particularly vigilant, as the theme is popular in markets with active real estate sectors. The lack of known exploits suggests a window for proactive mitigation before active attacks emerge.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to administrative and theme management interfaces via network-level controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN access to reduce exposure. 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting Houzez-specific endpoints or parameters. 3. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to theme functionality access, focusing on unauthorized or anomalous requests. 4. Regularly update the Houzez theme as soon as the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. 5. If patching is delayed, consider temporarily disabling or limiting the vulnerable functionality within the theme, if feasible, through configuration or custom code. 6. Conduct a thorough review of user roles and permissions in WordPress to ensure the principle of least privilege is enforced, minimizing potential damage from unauthorized access. 7. Educate site administrators about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance against suspicious activity. 8. Engage with the vendor or security community for updates and potential workarounds until an official patch is available.