CVE-2025-64224 is a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the ThemeGoods Grand Conference Theme Custom Post Type WordPress plugin, affecting versions prior to 2.6.4. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, which allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is reflected back to the victim’s browser. This type of XSS is 'reflected' because the malicious payload is part of the request and immediately reflected in the response without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or privileges, making it accessible to unauthenticated attackers. However, exploitation requires user interaction, typically by tricking a user into clicking a crafted URL containing the malicious script. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.1, indicating a high severity level, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L. This means the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the security scope of the vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent, allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or cause denial of service through script execution. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The affected product is primarily used in WordPress sites for event and conference management, making websites that use this theme potential targets for attackers aiming to compromise user sessions or deface sites. The lack of available patches or official updates at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation steps by administrators.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using the Grand Conference Theme Custom Post Type plugin, especially those managing event-related content. Successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of legitimate users, defacement of websites, or redirection to malicious domains, potentially damaging organizational reputation and user trust. Confidential information such as user credentials or personal data could be exposed, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The reflected XSS can also serve as a vector for delivering further malware or phishing attacks targeting European users. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe and the popularity of event management themes, the attack surface is considerable. Organizations in sectors such as event management, education, and corporate communications are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the cross-site scripting vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-profile European entities hosting conferences or public events, amplifying the potential impact.

Immediate mitigation involves updating the Grand Conference Theme Custom Post Type plugin to version 2.6.4 or later once available, as this version addresses the input neutralization flaw. Until a patch is applied, organizations should implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with robust XSS filtering rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. Administrators should audit and sanitize all user inputs and URL parameters related to the theme’s custom post types, applying strict output encoding to prevent script execution. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. User education campaigns should warn about the risks of clicking suspicious links, especially those related to event invitations or conference announcements. Regular security scanning and penetration testing focused on XSS vulnerabilities can help identify residual risks. Monitoring web server logs for unusual request patterns targeting the vulnerable plugin endpoints can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Finally, consider isolating or temporarily disabling the vulnerable plugin if patching is delayed and the risk is deemed unacceptable.