### Key Points

- Research suggests DiVi, Avada, and Bricks themes have faced recent vulnerabilities, while Genesis seems more secure with no 2025 issues reported.

- It seems likely that malware injections and data breaches in these themes could lead to site takeovers and data theft.

- The evidence leans toward keeping themes updated and using security plugins to protect WordPress sites.

#### Recent Vulnerabilities in Famous WordPress Themes

Several popular WordPress themes, including DiVi, Avada, Bricks, and Genesis, have been targeted by hackers, leading to data breaches and malware injections. Here's a breakdown of the issues:

- **DiVi Theme**: In 2020, a critical flaw (CVE-2020-35945) allowed attackers to upload arbitrary files, risking remote code execution, patched in version 4.5.3. No new 2025 vulnerabilities reported, but unupdated sites remain at risk.

- **Avada Theme**: In 2023, multiple vulnerabilities like SQL injection (CVE-2023-39309) and XSS (CVE-2023-39306) were found, patched in later versions, but popular use makes it a target.

- **Bricks Theme**: A 2024 RCE vulnerability (CVE-2024-25600) allowed unauthenticated PHP execution, patched in version 1.9.6, still relevant for older versions.

- **Genesis Framework**: No recent vulnerabilities reported as of May 2025, suggesting stronger security, but updates are still crucial.

#### Protecting Your Site

To safeguard your WordPress site, keep themes and plugins updated, use security tools like Wordfence ([Wordfence Intelligence](https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-themes/)), and limit user permissions. Regular backups and monitoring for suspicious activity are also essential.

---

### Famous WordPress Themes Hit by Data Breaches and Malware Injections: A Detailed Analysis as of May 4, 2025

#### Introduction

WordPress, powering over 40% of the web, is a prime target for cybercriminals due to its widespread use. As of May 4, 2025, several famous WordPress themes, including DiVi, Avada, Bricks, and Genesis, have faced significant security challenges, from data breaches to malware injections. This report delves into recent vulnerabilities, their impacts, and actionable steps for website owners to protect their digital assets.

#### Background on WordPress Themes

WordPress themes like DiVi, Avada, Bricks, and Genesis are essential for creating visually appealing and functional websites. However, their popularity also makes them attractive targets for hackers. According to Patchstack, 2024 saw 7,966 new vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem, with 4% affecting themes, highlighting the ongoing threat.

#### Recent Vulnerabilities in Famous Themes

##### DiVi Theme

The DiVi theme, developed by Elegant Themes, boasts over 700,000 installations. In 2020, a critical vulnerability (CVE-2020-35945) was discovered, allowing authenticated attackers with contributor-level access to upload arbitrary files, including PHP files, leading to remote code execution. This flaw affected versions up to 4.5.2 and was patched in version 4.5.3 ([Wordfence: Critical Vulnerability Exposes over 700,000 Sites Using Divi, Extra, and Divi Builder](https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2020/08/critical-vulnerability-exposes-over-700000-sites-using-divi-extra-and-divi-builder/)). As of 2025, no new vulnerabilities have been reported, but sites running older versions remain at risk, especially given the theme's popularity.

##### Avada Theme

Avada, with over 600,000 installations, has been a frequent target. In 2023, multiple vulnerabilities were reported:

- An authenticated SQL injection (CVE-2023-39309) in the Avada Builder plugin, which could allow attackers to steal sensitive data or execute remote code.

- A reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability (CVE-2023-39306), enabling unauthenticated attackers to steal sensitive information or escalate privileges.

- A contributor-level arbitrary file upload vulnerability (CVE-2023-39307) in the theme itself, which could lead to site takeovers.

These issues were patched in later versions, but Avada's widespread use makes it a continuous target for hackers ([Patchstack: Multiple High and Critical Vulnerabilities in Avada Theme and Plugin](https://patchstack.com/articles/multiple-high-and-critical-vulnerabilities-in-avada-theme-and-plugin/)).

##### Bricks Theme

The Bricks theme, with over 30,000 installations, faced a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability (CVE-2024-25600) in early 2024. This flaw allowed unauthenticated attackers to execute PHP code due to weak permission checks in the theme's REST API. The vulnerability was patched in version 1.9.6, but sites running earlier versions remain at risk. Given the recency of this issue, it's still highly relevant for anyone using Bricks ([Spiceworks: Hackers Exploit WordPress Theme Flaw](https://www.spiceworks.com/it-security/vulnerability-management/news/websites-impacted-wordpress-theme-vulnerability/)).

##### Genesis Framework

Genesis, a popular framework for WordPress themes, has not had any recent vulnerabilities reported as of May 2025. Its robust structure and regular updates contribute to its reputation for security. While no specific issues were found in recent reports like SolidWP's January 8, 2025, vulnerability report ([SolidWP: WordPress Vulnerability Report — January 8, 2025](https://solidwp.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-january-8-2025/)), it's important to keep Genesis and its child themes up to date to prevent potential issues.

#### Impact Analysis

The impact of these vulnerabilities is significant:

- **Data Breaches**: Sensitive customer information, such as personal details and login credentials, can be stolen, leading to financial losses and legal liabilities.

- **Malware Injections**: Hackers can inject malicious scripts, redirecting visitors to scam pages or blacklisting sites on search engines, affecting SEO and traffic.

- **Site Takeovers**: Full control of a site can result in defacement, ransom demands, or operational downtime, damaging business reputation.

Table 1: Summary of Recent Vulnerabilities in Famous WordPress Themes

|-------------|---------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|-----------------|---------------------------------|

| DiVi | Arbitrary File Upload, RCE | CVE-2020-35945| 2020 | 4.5.3 | Site takeover, data theft |

| Bricks | Remote Code Execution | CVE-2024-25600| 2024 | 1.9.6 | Site takeover, malware injection|

| Genesis | No recent vulnerabilities reported | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |

#### Recommendations for Website Owners

Given these threats, website owners must prioritize security. Here are actionable steps:

1. **Keep Everything Updated**: Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to the latest versions. Enable auto-updates if possible to stay ahead of vulnerabilities.

2. **Use Security Plugins**: Deploy tools like Wordfence ([Wordfence Intelligence](https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-themes/)), Sucuri, or MalCare to detect and prevent malware injections.

3. **Limit User Permissions**: Ensure that users have only the necessary permissions to perform their tasks. Contributors should not have upload capabilities unless absolutely necessary.

4. **Backup Regularly**: Maintain secure backups of your site to quickly recover in case of an attack, using plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.

5. **Monitor for Suspicious Activity**: Use monitoring tools to detect unusual login attempts or changes to your site, such as activity logs in security plugins.

#### Conclusion

As of May 4, 2025, the WordPress ecosystem faces an evolving threat landscape, with themes like DiVi, Avada, and Bricks being prime targets for data breaches and malware injections. While Genesis appears more secure with no recent issues, all website owners must remain vigilant. By keeping software updated, using security tools, and monitoring for threats, you can protect your site from these cyberattacks and ensure a safe online presence.

#### Key Citations

- [Wordfence Critical Vulnerability Exposes over 700,000 Sites Using Divi, Extra, and Divi Builder](https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2020/08/critical-vulnerability-exposes-over-700000-sites-using-divi-extra-and-divi-builder/)

- [Patchstack Multiple High and Critical Vulnerabilities in Avada Theme and Plugin](https://patchstack.com/articles/multiple-high-and-critical-vulnerabilities-in-avada-theme-and-plugin/)

- [Spiceworks Hackers Exploit WordPress Theme Flaw](https://www.spiceworks.com/it-security/vulnerability-management/news/websites-impacted-wordpress-theme-vulnerability/)

- [SolidWP WordPress Vulnerability Report January 8, 2025](https://solidwp.com/blog/wordpress-vulnerability-report-january-8-2025/)

- [Wordfence Intelligence WordPress Theme Vulnerabilities](https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-themes/)

🚨 WordPress Themes Under Attack: Divi, Bricks, and More Hit by Malware Injections! 🚨

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Vishal Seth

Vishal Seth