CVE-2025-62058 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Houzez Theme - Functionality plugin developed by favethemes, affecting all versions prior to 4.2.0. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of users visiting the affected site. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The vector indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), but needs privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is partial (C:L/I:L/A:L). Although no public exploits are known, the vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or deliver malicious payloads such as ransomware or phishing content. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for websites using the Houzez theme, commonly employed in real estate and property listing platforms. Since the plugin is widely used in WordPress environments, the attack surface is significant. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have at least low privileges within the system and to trick a user into interacting with a crafted payload, such as clicking a link or visiting a malicious page. This XSS flaw can be exploited to escalate privileges, hijack user sessions, or deface websites, potentially damaging brand reputation and user trust.

For European organizations, especially those operating real estate or property listing websites using the Houzez theme, this vulnerability poses risks including unauthorized access to user accounts, theft of sensitive information, session hijacking, and website defacement. The partial compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability can lead to data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. The requirement for low privileges and user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the likelihood of targeted attacks such as spear phishing campaigns. Additionally, compromised websites can be used as vectors for broader attacks against visitors, potentially affecting business partners and customers across Europe. The reputational damage and potential financial losses from downtime or remediation efforts could be significant. Given the widespread use of WordPress and its themes in Europe, the threat surface is considerable, particularly for SMEs that may lack robust security practices.

Organizations should immediately monitor for updates from favethemes and apply patches for Houzez Theme - Functionality version 4.2.0 or later once available. In the interim, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data to prevent script injection. Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. Conduct security audits and penetration testing focused on web application input handling. Educate users and administrators about phishing risks and the importance of cautious interaction with untrusted links or content. Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the attack surface. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block XSS payloads targeting WordPress themes. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. Finally, maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect suspicious activities indicative of exploitation attempts.