CVE-2025-6038 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) affecting the Lisfinity Core plugin, integral to the pebas® Lisfinity WordPress theme. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 1.4.0 due to insufficient validation of user identity during password update operations. Specifically, the plugin fails to verify that the requesting user is authorized to change the password of the targeted account. As a result, any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level privileges can exploit this flaw to change passwords of arbitrary users, including administrators, effectively escalating their privileges. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without user interaction, with a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8, indicating high severity. This score reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, required privileges at a low level, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using this plugin, potentially allowing attackers to take full control of affected sites by resetting admin passwords and locking out legitimate users. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate attention to mitigation strategies.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to the security of WordPress-based websites using the pebas® Lisfinity theme, which is often employed in real estate and classified ad sectors. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to administrative accounts, enabling attackers to manipulate site content, steal sensitive data, deploy malware, or disrupt services. This compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe and the popularity of the Lisfinity theme in niche markets, the potential for targeted attacks is significant. Organizations handling personal data under GDPR may face regulatory repercussions if breaches occur due to this vulnerability. Additionally, attackers could leverage compromised sites for phishing or as footholds in broader network intrusions. The threat is particularly acute for small and medium enterprises that may lack robust security monitoring or rapid patch management capabilities.

Until an official patch is released, European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict user roles by limiting Subscriber-level accounts and auditing existing users to ensure minimal privileges are assigned. 2) Monitor logs for unusual password change activities, especially those initiated by non-administrative users. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious password update requests targeting other users. 4) Temporarily disable or replace the Lisfinity Core plugin if feasible, or restrict access to the WordPress admin interface via IP whitelisting or VPN. 5) Enforce strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts to reduce the impact of compromised credentials. 6) Prepare for rapid deployment of patches once available by maintaining an updated inventory of affected systems. 7) Educate site administrators about this vulnerability and encourage immediate review of user account security. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on role management, monitoring, and access control tailored to this specific flaw.