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WordPress Security Vulnerabilities: Plugin & Core CVEs with Fixes

Understanding WordPress Security Ecosystem

⚡

The WordPress Security Challenge

With 43% of all websites powered by WordPress, its security vulnerabilities impact millions of sites globally. The open-source nature and extensive plugin ecosystem create unique security challenges where one vulnerable plugin can compromise an entire website.

WordPress CVE Components:

  • WPScan Vulnerability Database ID: WPVDBID-XXXX format
  • WordPress.org Advisory ID: For core vulnerabilities
  • Plugin/Theme Name: Specific extension affected
  • CVSS Score: Common Vulnerability Scoring System rating
  • Affected Versions: WordPress core or plugin versions impacted
  • Fixed Version: Minimum secure version required
  • Vulnerability Type: SQLi, XSS, RCE, Auth Bypass, CSRF, LFI/RFI
  • Proof of Concept: Availability of exploit code

📊 WordPress Vulnerability Statistics (2024):

89%
Plugin Vulnerabilities
Most common attack vector
7%
Theme Vulnerabilities
Premium themes often affected
4%
Core Vulnerabilities
Less frequent but high impact

🎯 Common WordPress Vulnerability Categories:

💥
Remote Code Execution

Most dangerous - allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on server

🔓
SQL Injection

Database manipulation through unsecured queries

🎭
Cross-Site Scripting

Most prevalent - inject malicious scripts into pages

👤
Authentication Bypass

Gain admin access without credentials

WordPress Security Architecture & Risk Factors

🧩 Plugin Ecosystem Risk

With 60,000+ plugins, quality varies dramatically. Inactive plugins, nulled premium plugins, and abandoned plugins create significant security gaps.

🔗 Supply Chain Attacks

Compromised plugins in the official repository or malicious updates can affect thousands of sites simultaneously.

🔄 Update Fatigue

Constant updates for core, plugins, and themes lead to "update fatigue," causing administrators to delay critical security patches.

🎯 Automated Attacks

Bots constantly scan for vulnerable WordPress sites using known exploit signatures, making unpatched sites immediate targets.

🎯 Common WordPress Attack Vectors:

🔌
Vulnerable Plugins

File upload, form builder, e-commerce plugins with security flaws

🎨
Compromised Themes

Nulled premium themes, theme frameworks with backdoors

🔐
Weak Authentication

Default admin username, weak passwords, no 2FA

📁
File Inclusion

Local/Remote File Inclusion through theme/plugin parameters

⚠️ High-Risk Popular Plugins:

Elementor Pro
45M+ installs • 12 CVEs
RCE, XSS, Auth Bypass
WooCommerce
5M+ installs • 8 CVEs
SQLi, CSRF, XSS
WP Forms
5M+ installs • 6 CVEs
File Upload, XSS
Yoast SEO
5M+ installs • 3 CVEs
XSS, Info Disclosure

Current WordPress Threat Intelligence & Mitigation Strategies

⚠️ Actively Exploited WordPress Vulnerabilities:

PLUGIN

Elementor Pro RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-xxxxx • Active Exploitation

Critical severity Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Elementor Pro (Premium) affecting versions before 3.20.0. Allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable sites.

RCE Unauthenticated Elementor Pro CRITICAL Fixed in 3.20.0
CORE

WordPress SQL Injection

CVE-2024-xxxxx • WordPress 6.5

High severity SQL Injection vulnerability in WordPress core affecting versions 6.5. Requires contributor-level access. Could lead to database compromise and data theft.

SQL Injection Authenticated WordPress Core HIGH Fixed in 6.5.1
THEME

Astra Theme XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2024-xxxxx • 1M+ installs

Medium severity Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in Astra Theme allowing stored XSS through customizer settings. Could lead to admin account takeover.

XSS Stored Astra Theme MEDIUM Fixed in 4.6.0

🛡️ WordPress Security Best Practices:

1. Regular Updates

Enable auto-updates for minor releases. Test major updates on staging before production deployment.

2. Plugin Management

Regularly audit installed plugins. Remove unused plugins. Use only plugins from trusted sources.

3. Security Hardening

Implement WAF, limit login attempts, change wp-admin URL, disable file editing, use secure hosting.

4. Monitoring & Backups

Implement security monitoring, file integrity checking, and maintain regular backups with off-site storage.

🔧 WordPress Patch Management Guidelines:

Critical (RCE, SQLi)
Patch within 24 hours

Immediate action required. Test on staging if possible, otherwise apply emergency patch with backup.

High (Auth Bypass, XSS)
Patch within 7 days

Schedule patch during next maintenance window. Test compatibility before deployment.

Medium (CSRF, Info Disclosure)
Patch within 30 days

Include in regular update cycle. Bundle with other updates to minimize disruption.

🛡️ Recommended Security Plugins:

Wordfence Security
WAF, Malware Scan, Login Security, Firewall
4M+ active installs
Sucuri Security
Audit Logging, File Integrity, Malware Cleanup
800K+ active installs
iThemes Security
Brute Force Protection, 2FA, Database Backups
1M+ active installs
All In One WP Security
Firewall, Login Lockdown, File Protection
1M+ active installs

🚨 WordPress Emergency Response Steps:

1
Immediate Isolation

Take site offline or enable maintenance mode. Block suspicious IP addresses.

2
Assessment

Identify vulnerable component. Check logs for signs of exploitation.

3
Remediation

Apply security patch. If unavailable, temporarily disable vulnerable plugin/theme.

4
Recovery

Restore from clean backup if compromised. Scan for backdoors/malware.

📊 How to Use This WordPress Vulnerability Database:

Filter vulnerabilities by type, severity, or plugin name. Critical RCE vulnerabilities require immediate attention. Check the "Fixed Version" column for minimum secure version. Use the "Active Install" count to gauge impact scope. Subscribe to vulnerability alerts for your installed plugins.

WordPress Severity Levels:

Critical - Remote Code Execution, patch immediately
High - SQL Injection, Authentication Bypass
Medium - Cross-Site Scripting, CSRF attacks
Low - Information Disclosure, Minor issues

Component Types:

WordPress Core
Plugin Vulnerabilities
Theme Vulnerabilities
Year Vulnerability Severity Affected Impact Status
2025
CVE-2025-5678
Unauthorized data exposure through REST API endpoint; affects user privacy and data integrity
 Critical 9.0
WordPress 6.3.1, WordPress 6.4 Beta
  1. Potential user privacy breach, Unauthorized data exposure via REST API
 Active Exploits
2024
CVE-2024-2893
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in popular plugin allowing remote code execution via admin interface
 High 8.3
WordPress Plugin X 3.2.1, WordPress Plugin X 3.3.0
  1. Cross-site scripting in plugin admin interface, Remote code execution possibility
 Widely Exploited
2023
CVE-2023-1234
Directory traversal vulnerability in theme uploader allowing file upload bypass
 High 7.5
WordPress 5.9, WordPress 6.0
  1. Allows file upload bypass, Directory traversal in theme uploader
 Patched
2022
CVE-2022-4019
Authentication bypass vulnerability via REST API affecting user roles and permissions
 Critical 9.1
WordPress 5.8.2, WordPress 5.9.3
  1. Allows unauthorized role changes, Authentication bypass via REST API
 Patched
2021
CVE-2021-29447
XXE vulnerability in WordPress core XML parser allowing denial of service and data leaks
 High 7.8
WordPress 5.7, WordPress 5.8
  1. Potential denial of service and data leaks, XXE vulnerability in XML parser
 Patched
2020
CVE-2020-28037
CSRF vulnerability allowing attackers to change site settings without authorization
 Medium 6.5
WordPress 5.4, WordPress 5.5
  1. Allows unauthorized changes to site configuration, CSRF vulnerability in admin settings
 Patched
2010-2015
XML-RPC Pingback Abuse
Abuse of XML-RPC pingback functionality for DDoS amplification attacks
 N/A
WordPress 3.0 - 4.5
  1. Significant network abuse vector, XML-RPC pingback used for DDoS amplification
 Legacy
Last updated: September 2025 | Sources: NVD, Patchstack, Wordfence, CVE Details
Critical (9.0-10.0)
High (7.0-8.9)
Legacy
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