CVE-2025-69357 is a stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the CodexThemes TheGem Theme Elements plugin for Elementor, a popular WordPress page builder. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, allowing malicious scripts to be stored persistently within the website's content. When other users or administrators visit the affected pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers under the context of the vulnerable site. This can lead to a range of attacks including session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, website defacement, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects all versions of TheGem Theme Elements plugin up to and including version 5.11.0. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits are known at this time. The vulnerability was published on January 6, 2026, with the initial reservation date at the end of 2025. The plugin is widely used in WordPress sites that utilize Elementor for page building, making the attack surface significant. The stored nature of the XSS means that injected scripts remain on the server and affect all visitors to the compromised pages, increasing the potential impact. The vulnerability requires no authentication for exploitation if the input fields are publicly accessible, and no user interaction beyond visiting the infected page is necessary for the payload to execute. This elevates the risk considerably for websites using this theme plugin without proper input validation and output encoding.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their web assets. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, leakage of sensitive data such as cookies or authentication tokens, and potential compromise of administrative accounts. This can result in reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Additionally, attackers could deface websites or redirect visitors to phishing or malware distribution sites, impacting business operations and user safety. Organizations relying on TheGem Theme Elements for their public-facing websites or customer portals are particularly vulnerable. The persistent nature of stored XSS increases the likelihood of widespread impact across multiple users. Given the popularity of WordPress and Elementor in Europe, many SMEs and enterprises could be affected, especially those that do not regularly update their plugins or lack robust web application security controls.

1. Immediately audit all WordPress installations using TheGem Theme Elements plugin and identify versions up to 5.11.0. 2. Apply vendor-released patches or updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 3. If patches are not yet available, implement manual input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data fields within the theme elements to neutralize malicious scripts. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block XSS payloads targeting known vulnerable parameters. 5. Conduct regular security scans and penetration tests focusing on stored XSS vectors in WordPress environments. 6. Educate content editors and administrators about the risks of injecting untrusted content and enforce strict content policies. 7. Monitor website logs and user reports for signs of suspicious activity or defacement. 8. Consider isolating or temporarily disabling vulnerable theme elements if immediate patching is not feasible. 9. Ensure backups are up to date to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 10. Review and harden overall WordPress security posture, including limiting plugin usage to trusted sources and minimizing unnecessary privileges.