CVE-2026-24949 is a DOM-based Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the ThemeGoods PhotoMe WordPress theme, affecting versions up to and including 5.7.1. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during the generation of web pages, specifically within client-side scripts that manipulate the Document Object Model (DOM). Unlike traditional reflected or stored XSS, DOM-based XSS occurs entirely on the client side, where malicious input is executed by the victim's browser without server-side code injection. Attackers can craft specially crafted URLs or input that, when processed by the vulnerable PhotoMe theme, inject malicious JavaScript code into the DOM. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, cookie theft, defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability was reserved in late January 2026 and published in February 2026, with no CVSS score assigned and no known exploits reported in the wild. The absence of official patches or mitigation guidance from the vendor suggests that users must rely on temporary defensive measures. Given the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of the PhotoMe theme among photographers and creative professionals, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites that have not yet updated or applied mitigations. The technical details indicate that the vulnerability is client-side and does not require authentication, increasing the attack surface and ease of exploitation.

The impact of CVE-2026-24949 is significant for organizations using the PhotoMe theme, as successful exploitation can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the affected website, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. This can lead to account takeover, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or distribution of malware through the compromised site. The availability impact is generally low but could be indirectly affected if attackers deface the site or cause client-side disruptions. Because the vulnerability is DOM-based, it can be exploited without server-side code injection or authentication, making it accessible to a wide range of attackers, including those with minimal privileges. Organizations relying on PhotoMe for their online presence, especially those handling sensitive user data or financial transactions, face increased risk of reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and loss of customer trust if exploited. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential for rapid exploitation once public details are widely known remains high.

1. Immediately review and restrict user input sources that interact with the DOM in the PhotoMe theme, implementing strict client-side input validation and sanitization. 2. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the risk of XSS exploitation. 3. Monitor and filter incoming URL parameters and fragment identifiers that could be manipulated to trigger DOM-based XSS. 4. Temporarily disable or limit features in PhotoMe that dynamically generate DOM content from user input until an official patch is released. 5. Regularly audit and update all WordPress themes and plugins to their latest versions once patches become available. 6. Educate website administrators and developers about the risks of DOM-based XSS and encourage secure coding practices. 7. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS attack patterns to provide an additional layer of defense. 8. Conduct penetration testing focused on client-side vulnerabilities to identify and remediate similar issues proactively. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on client-side controls, temporary feature restrictions, and proactive monitoring specific to the nature of DOM-based XSS in the PhotoMe theme.