CVE-2025-66053 is a stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Kriesi Enfold WordPress theme, affecting all versions up to and including 7.1.2. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored on the server and later executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages. This type of vulnerability can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of other users, deface websites, or distribute malware. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, requiring privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R), and impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:L/I:L/A:L) with scope changed (S:C). Exploitation requires an authenticated user with some privileges to inject the malicious payload, and a victim user to interact with the malicious content. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the widespread use of the Enfold theme in WordPress sites globally, including Europe, increases the risk of targeted attacks. The vulnerability highlights the need for secure input handling and output encoding in web applications to prevent injection flaws. Currently, no official patches or updates are linked, so mitigation relies on workarounds and monitoring until a fix is released.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially for those relying on WordPress sites using the Enfold theme for their public-facing or internal web portals. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, data leakage, defacement of websites, and potential distribution of malware to site visitors. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches if personal data is exposed), and cause operational disruptions. Given the medium CVSS score but the potential for chained attacks, the impact can escalate if combined with other vulnerabilities or social engineering tactics. Organizations in sectors with high digital engagement such as e-commerce, media, and government services are particularly vulnerable. The need for user interaction and privilege requirements somewhat limit the attack surface but do not eliminate the risk, especially in environments with many users or contributors. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the risk of future exploitation remains high.

1. Immediately audit all WordPress installations to identify the use of the Enfold theme and verify the version in use. 2. Apply any official patches or updates from Kriesi as soon as they become available; monitor vendor channels closely. 3. In the absence of patches, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied content fields to prevent script injection. 4. Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk of malicious input from authenticated users. 5. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules targeting stored XSS patterns specific to Enfold theme vulnerabilities. 6. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Educate users about the risks of interacting with suspicious content and enforce strong authentication mechanisms. 8. Consider temporarily disabling or restricting features that allow user-generated content until a patch is applied. 9. Regularly back up website data to enable quick recovery in case of defacement or compromise. 10. Conduct security testing and code reviews focusing on input handling in customizations or plugins interacting with Enfold.