CVE-2025-49952 is an authorization bypass vulnerability identified in the favethemes Houzez WordPress theme, specifically in versions up to and including 4.1.1. The vulnerability stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that allow an attacker to exploit a user-controlled key parameter to bypass authorization checks. This means that an attacker with limited privileges (such as a low-level authenticated user) can manipulate certain keys or parameters to gain unauthorized access to restricted functionalities or data. The flaw does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have some level of authenticated access (PR:L). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by potentially allowing unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.3, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and unchanged scope (S:U). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been released at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects websites using the Houzez theme, which is popular among real estate agencies and property listing platforms, making these sectors particularly at risk. The issue highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and themes.

For European organizations, especially those in the real estate sector using the Houzez WordPress theme, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data such as client information, property listings, and transaction details. Exploitation could lead to data leakage, unauthorized data modification, or service disruption, potentially damaging business reputation and customer trust. Since the vulnerability requires some level of authenticated access, insider threats or compromised low-privilege accounts could be leveraged to escalate privileges. The impact on availability could disrupt online property services, affecting business operations. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe and the popularity of Houzez in real estate digital platforms, the vulnerability could affect numerous organizations, leading to regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially once exploit code becomes available.

European organizations should immediately audit their Houzez theme versions and upgrade to a patched version once available. Until a patch is released, implement strict access control policies by limiting user privileges to the minimum necessary and monitoring for unusual access patterns or privilege escalations. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests manipulating user-controlled keys. Conduct thorough code reviews of customizations involving access control logic in the theme. Regularly back up website data to enable recovery in case of compromise. Educate administrators and users about the risks of privilege misuse and enforce strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of account compromise. Engage with the theme vendor or community for updates and advisories. Additionally, consider isolating critical data and functionalities behind additional authentication layers or security plugins to mitigate potential bypasses.