CVE-2025-62044 Overview
CVE-2025-62044 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the CodexThemes TheGem Theme Elements plugin for WPBakery, tracked under [CWE-79]. The flaw affects all versions of thegem-elements up to and including 5.10.5.1. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can inject malicious script content that executes in the browsers of users viewing affected pages. The issue stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation.
Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker with contributor-level access can inject JavaScript that executes in visitor and administrator browsers, enabling session theft, defacement, or redirection to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
Affected Products
- CodexThemes TheGem Theme Elements (for WPBakery) thegem-elements plugin
- All versions from initial release through 5.10.5.1
- WordPress installations using the affected plugin alongside WPBakery Page Builder
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-06 - CVE-2025-62044 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-62044
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the input handling logic of TheGem Theme Elements plugin, which extends WPBakery Page Builder with additional visual components. User-supplied parameters passed to plugin shortcodes or element attributes are rendered into page output without adequate sanitization or output encoding. This allows an authenticated user with content creation privileges to embed arbitrary HTML and JavaScript payloads into rendered pages.
Successful exploitation requires user interaction, such as an administrator or visitor loading a page containing the crafted element. Because the attack executes in a scope change context, the injected script runs with the privileges of the victim's browsing session. This exposes session cookies, authentication tokens, and any actions accessible via the WordPress admin interface.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. Plugin element handlers accept string inputs intended for display or configuration but fail to apply WordPress sanitization functions such as esc_html(), esc_attr(), or wp_kses() before echoing the values into the DOM. Attributes rendered inside HTML tags and text nodes are both affected.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the target WordPress site and authenticated access with at least contributor-level permissions. The attacker crafts a page, post, or element configuration containing an XSS payload using the vulnerable shortcode or element attribute. When another user, typically an administrator or site visitor, loads the affected page, the payload executes in their browser context. The scope change means the injected script can reach cookies and DOM content of the parent WordPress origin.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62044
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script> tags, javascript: URIs, or event handler attributes (onerror, onload, onclick) embedded within post content or plugin element configurations stored in wp_posts and wp_postmeta.
- Outbound requests from administrator browsers to unfamiliar domains immediately after loading pages built with TheGem elements.
- New administrator accounts, altered user roles, or unexpected plugin installations following contributor content submissions.
Detection Strategies
- Audit database entries for TheGem shortcode attributes containing HTML markup, encoded script fragments, or suspicious protocol handlers.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule to flag requests to WordPress endpoints containing script payloads within thegem-elements parameters.
- Review WordPress activity logs for content edits by contributor or author accounts that introduce plugin elements with unusual attribute values.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting to identify inline script execution attempts on published pages.
- Monitor administrator session activity for anomalous API calls, particularly to wp-admin/user-new.php and wp-admin/plugin-install.php.
- Track plugin version inventory across managed WordPress sites to identify hosts still running thegem-elements at or below 5.10.5.1.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62044
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the TheGem Theme Elements plugin to a version released after 5.10.5.1 once the vendor publishes a fix.
- Restrict contributor, author, and editor accounts to trusted users and rotate credentials for any accounts suspected of compromise.
- Review all pages and posts built with TheGem elements for injected script content and remove malicious payloads.
Patch Information
At the time of the NVD entry, the vulnerability is documented against versions through 5.10.5.1. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the CodexThemes vendor site for the latest patched release information.
Workarounds
- Temporarily deactivate the thegem-elements plugin on production sites until a patched version is installed.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy that blocks inline scripts and restricts script sources to trusted origins.
- Apply a virtual patch through a WordPress-aware web application firewall to filter script payloads submitted to plugin endpoints.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
