CVE-2025-5014 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) found in the Home Villas | Real Estate WordPress Theme developed by Chimp Group. This vulnerability exists in the 'wp_rem_cs_widget_file_delete' function present in all versions up to and including 2.8 of the theme. The root cause is insufficient validation of file paths, which allows an authenticated attacker with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to delete arbitrary files on the server. Because WordPress Subscriber accounts have minimal permissions, this vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it lowers the bar for exploitation. By deleting critical files such as wp-config.php, attackers can disrupt the availability of the WordPress site or potentially trigger remote code execution (RCE) if the deletion causes the system to behave unexpectedly or allows attackers to upload malicious files in place of deleted ones. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no patches have been released yet. The vulnerability affects all versions of the theme, indicating a need for immediate attention from users of this WordPress theme. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to severe consequences including site defacement, data loss, and full server compromise if combined with other weaknesses or misconfigurations.

For European organizations using the Home Villas | Real Estate WordPress Theme, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Real estate companies and agencies often rely on WordPress sites for property listings and client interactions, making availability and data integrity critical. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized deletion of website files, causing service outages and loss of business continuity. Additionally, deletion of configuration files like wp-config.php could allow attackers to gain further control, potentially leading to data breaches involving personal client information, violating GDPR regulations. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, which could result in reputational damage, regulatory fines, and financial losses. Since the vulnerability requires only Subscriber-level access, attackers could exploit compromised or weak user credentials or social engineering to gain initial access. This threat is particularly relevant for European SMEs and agencies using this theme without strict access controls or monitoring. The lack of a patch increases the urgency for mitigation to prevent exploitation.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify if the Home Villas | Real Estate theme is in use, especially versions up to 2.8. Until an official patch is released, the following mitigations are recommended: 1) Restrict Subscriber-level user creation and review existing user accounts to remove unnecessary or suspicious users. 2) Implement strict file system permissions on the WordPress installation directory to prevent unauthorized file deletions, ensuring the web server user cannot delete critical files like wp-config.php. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable function or unusual file deletion attempts. 4) Monitor logs for unusual file deletion activities or privilege escalations. 5) Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the vulnerable theme with a secure alternative if feasible. 6) Enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of compromised accounts. 7) Regularly back up website files and databases to enable quick restoration in case of file deletion or compromise. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and containment specific to this vulnerability's exploitation vector.