CVE-2025-59580 is an Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability found in GoodLayers Core, a widely used WordPress theme framework component. The flaw exists in versions prior to 2.1.7 and allows attackers with some level of access (low privileges) to escalate their privileges without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and only low privileges (PR:L) are needed, making it a significant threat. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, as attackers can gain elevated rights to modify content, execute arbitrary code, or disrupt services. The CVSS 3.1 vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) reflects these severe impacts. Although no public exploits are reported yet, the vulnerability's nature and high CVSS score suggest it could be weaponized quickly. GoodLayers Core is popular in WordPress themes, especially in creative and business websites, meaning many organizations could be exposed if they do not update promptly. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege assignment logic, allowing unauthorized privilege escalation paths. This can lead to full site compromise, data breaches, or service disruption.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to web infrastructure relying on GoodLayers Core. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, defacement or manipulation of websites, and potential disruption of online services. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data breaches), and cause financial losses. Sectors such as e-commerce, media, and government websites that use WordPress themes based on GoodLayers Core are particularly vulnerable. The remote exploitability and lack of user interaction required increase the likelihood of automated attacks, potentially affecting a large number of sites. Additionally, compromised sites can be used as pivot points for further attacks within corporate networks, increasing overall risk exposure.

The primary mitigation is to update GoodLayers Core to version 2.1.7 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of this update. In addition, administrators should audit user roles and permissions to detect and revoke any unauthorized privilege escalations. Implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect abnormal privilege escalation attempts can provide additional protection. Monitoring logs for unusual administrative activity and employing intrusion detection systems (IDS) focused on WordPress environments can help identify exploitation attempts early. For organizations unable to immediately patch, restricting access to administrative interfaces via IP whitelisting or VPNs can reduce exposure. Regular backups and incident response plans should be in place to recover quickly if exploitation occurs.