CVE-2025-62044 identifies a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CodexThemes TheGem Theme Elements plugin for WPBakery, a popular WordPress page builder. The vulnerability is caused by improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, which allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts. This flaw affects all versions up to and including 5.10.5.1. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), but it requires privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Successful exploitation can lead to partial compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected web application. Specifically, an authenticated user with low privileges can inject scripts that execute in the context of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for websites using TheGem Theme Elements with WPBakery, which is widely used for building WordPress sites with rich visual content.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to websites built on WordPress using TheGem Theme Elements with WPBakery. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution, enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of other users, or deliver malware. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data breaches involving customer or employee data, and disrupt website availability. Sectors such as e-commerce, media, education, and government that rely on WordPress for public-facing sites are particularly vulnerable. The requirement for authenticated access limits exposure but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple user roles or where user credentials may be compromised. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain to escalate privileges or pivot within networks. Compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations may be impacted if personal data is exposed or integrity compromised.

1. Monitor CodexThemes and WPBakery official channels for patches and apply updates to TheGem Theme Elements plugin as soon as they become available. 2. In the interim, restrict user roles and permissions to the minimum necessary, especially limiting who can add or edit content using the vulnerable plugin. 3. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically targeting XSS attack patterns to block malicious payloads. 4. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews for customizations involving TheGem Theme Elements to identify and remediate unsafe input handling. 5. Educate content editors and administrators about phishing and social engineering risks that could lead to credential compromise. 6. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. 7. Monitor logs for unusual activity indicative of attempted exploitation, such as unexpected script injections or user behavior anomalies. 8. Consider isolating critical WordPress instances or using containerization to limit potential lateral movement if exploited.