CVE-2025-64361 identifies a DOM-based Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the StylemixThemes Consulting Elementor Widgets WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to 1.4.2. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, allowing malicious scripts to be injected into the Document Object Model (DOM) on the client side. This type of XSS does not rely on server-side script injection but exploits client-side script execution paths, making detection and mitigation more challenging. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have at least low privileges (PR:L) and necessitates user interaction (UI:R), such as clicking a crafted link or visiting a malicious page. The scope is classified as changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting the entire web application session. The CVSS score of 6.5 (medium severity) reflects that exploitation can lead to partial loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, such as session hijacking, unauthorized actions, or defacement. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's presence in a widely used WordPress plugin for consulting themes increases its potential impact. The plugin is commonly used in websites built with Elementor, a popular WordPress page builder, which is widely adopted across Europe. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in client-side scripting contexts to prevent DOM-based XSS attacks.

For European organizations, especially those operating consulting or professional services websites using WordPress with the Consulting Elementor Widgets plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of client-side script injection leading to session hijacking, credential theft, unauthorized actions, or website defacement. The impact extends to loss of customer trust, potential regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is compromised, and operational disruptions. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction and low privileges, attackers might exploit social engineering tactics to lure users into triggering the XSS payload. The changed scope means the attack could affect the broader application context, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. Organizations with high web traffic and client engagement are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, compromised websites could be used as vectors for further attacks or malware distribution, amplifying the threat landscape. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the medium severity score indicates that the threat should not be underestimated.

1. Monitor StylemixThemes announcements and apply plugin updates immediately once a patch addressing CVE-2025-64361 is released. 2. Implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) that restrict the execution of inline scripts and limit sources of executable scripts to trusted domains, reducing the risk of DOM-based XSS exploitation. 3. Conduct thorough input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within the plugin's context, especially for any dynamic DOM manipulations. 4. Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary, reducing the potential impact of low-privilege exploitation. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking untrusted links or interacting with suspicious content, mitigating social engineering vectors. 6. Employ web application firewalls (WAF) with rules tailored to detect and block DOM-based XSS patterns specific to Elementor widgets. 7. Regularly audit and test the website for XSS vulnerabilities using automated scanning tools and manual penetration testing focused on client-side scripting. 8. Review and harden the overall WordPress environment, including disabling unnecessary plugins and themes, to reduce the attack surface.