CVE-2025-69360 identifies a DOM-based Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CodexThemes TheGem Theme Elements plugin for WPBakery, affecting all versions up to and including 5.11.0. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user input during the generation of web pages, specifically within the dynamic elements rendered by the theme plugin. This flaw allows an attacker with low privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code into the Document Object Model (DOM), which is then executed in the context of the victim's browser when interacting with the affected web page. The vulnerability requires user interaction, such as clicking a crafted link or visiting a malicious page, to trigger the script execution. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting medium severity, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), user interaction (UI:R), and impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent (C:L/I:L/A:L). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the widespread use of WordPress and WPBakery themes increases the potential attack surface. The vulnerability could be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, deface websites, or deliver further malware payloads. The issue is particularly relevant for websites that rely on TheGem Theme Elements for dynamic content rendering, including corporate, e-commerce, and media sites. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on January 6, 2026, with no official patches linked yet, emphasizing the need for proactive mitigation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-69360 can be significant, especially for those relying on WordPress sites using TheGem Theme Elements with WPBakery. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, data leakage, and potential defacement or disruption of web services. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches due to data exposure), and cause operational downtime. E-commerce platforms could suffer financial losses and customer trust erosion. The vulnerability's requirement for low privileges but user interaction means targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns could be effective. Given the interconnected nature of European digital infrastructure, compromised sites could be used as pivot points for broader attacks or to distribute malware. The medium severity suggests moderate but tangible risks that warrant timely attention to avoid escalation.

1. Monitor CodexThemes and WPBakery official channels for security patches addressing CVE-2025-69360 and apply updates immediately upon release. 2. Until patches are available, implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict script execution sources and reduce the impact of injected scripts. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting TheGem Theme Elements. 4. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data, especially in dynamic content areas managed by the theme. 5. Educate users and administrators about phishing risks that could trigger the vulnerability via crafted URLs or payloads. 6. Regularly audit and monitor website logs for unusual activity or signs of exploitation attempts. 7. Consider temporarily disabling or replacing TheGem Theme Elements if immediate patching is not feasible, especially on high-value or public-facing sites. 8. Use security scanners specialized in WordPress environments to detect vulnerable plugin versions and configuration weaknesses.