CVE-2025-62064 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the Elated-Themes Search & Go WordPress plugin, specifically versions up to and including 2.7. The vulnerability is characterized as an authentication bypass via an alternate path or channel, which allows an attacker to exploit the password recovery functionality to gain unauthorized access. This bypass does not require any prior authentication, user interaction, or privileges, making it remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems, as attackers can potentially take over user accounts, including administrative ones, leading to full site compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this flaw. Although no public exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the vulnerability's characteristics suggest it could be weaponized quickly. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate or restrict access to password recovery processes, allowing attackers to circumvent normal authentication mechanisms through an alternate request path or channel. This could enable attackers to reset passwords or access accounts without authorization, posing a severe risk to websites using this plugin. Given the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of Elated-Themes plugins, this vulnerability represents a significant threat vector for website owners and administrators.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62064 can be substantial. Organizations relying on WordPress sites with the Search & Go plugin are at risk of unauthorized account access, including administrative accounts, which can lead to data breaches, defacement, or complete site takeover. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR requirements concerning data protection and breach notification. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation and critical severity mean attackers could automate attacks at scale, targeting multiple organizations simultaneously. Sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and internal communications hosted on compromised sites could be exposed or manipulated. Additionally, compromised sites may be used as launchpads for further attacks, including phishing or malware distribution, amplifying the threat landscape. The potential downtime and remediation costs could be significant, particularly for e-commerce, government, and financial services sectors prevalent in Europe.

Immediate mitigation steps include monitoring Elated-Themes announcements and applying patches as soon as they are released. Until a patch is available, organizations should restrict access to password recovery endpoints using web application firewalls (WAFs) or IP whitelisting to limit exposure. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) on WordPress admin accounts can reduce the risk of unauthorized access even if password recovery is exploited. Regularly auditing user accounts and resetting passwords for critical users can help detect and mitigate unauthorized changes. Employing security plugins that monitor for suspicious login attempts and unusual activity can provide early warning signs. Organizations should also review and harden their WordPress security posture, including minimizing plugin usage, keeping all components updated, and conducting penetration testing focused on authentication mechanisms. Finally, maintaining comprehensive backups and an incident response plan will aid in rapid recovery if exploitation occurs.