Outdated WordPress Plugins Are a Security Risk

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites. That makes it the biggest target for hackers. And the number one way they get in isn't through WordPress itself. It's through outdated plugins.

A single vulnerable plugin can give an attacker full access to your site, your customer data and your email list. Here is how to check your plugins and keep your site safe.

Why plugins are the #1 attack vector

WordPress core gets regular security updates and has a large team maintaining it. Plugins don't always have that luxury. Many are built by solo developers or small teams. When they stop maintaining a plugin, known vulnerabilities go unpatched.

The WPScan vulnerability database tracks over 50,000 known WordPress vulnerabilities. The vast majority are in plugins, not in WordPress core. In 2024, Patchstack reported that 97% of new WordPress vulnerabilities came from plugins and themes.

Here is what makes this dangerous for your business:

• Popular plugins like Contact Form 7, Elementor and WooCommerce have had serious vulnerabilities in past versions
• Attackers scan for known vulnerable plugin versions automatically using tools like WPScan
• A compromised site can be used to send spam, host malware or steal customer data
• You might not even notice for weeks or months

How vulnerabilities get exploited

This isn't theoretical. Here are real examples from the WPScan database.

CVE-2024-2876: Forminator plugin. A SQL injection vulnerability in versions before 1.29.0 allowed unauthenticated attackers to extract data from the database. Any form submission data, including names, emails and messages, could be stolen.

CVE-2024-1071: Ultimate Member plugin. A SQL injection flaw in versions before 2.8.3 let attackers pull user data without authentication. Sites using this for membership or registration were exposed.

CVE-2023-6553: Backup Migration plugin. A remote code execution vulnerability in versions before 1.3.8 gave attackers complete control of the site. Full server access through a backup plugin.

The pattern is the same every time. A vulnerability is discovered, a patch is released, but thousands of sites never update. Attackers know this and actively target sites running old versions.

The GDPR connection you're probably missing

This isn't just a technical problem. It's a legal one.

GDPR Article 32 requires "appropriate technical and organisational measures" to protect personal data. If your website collects any personal data through forms, accounts, orders or comments, you're required to keep it secure.

Running known vulnerable plugins is the opposite of "appropriate technical measures." If a breach happens because you didn't update a plugin that had a known fix, you're not just hacked. You're potentially in breach of GDPR.

The Dutch Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens has fined organizations for inadequate security measures. The same applies in Germany under the DSGVO and in the UK under the ICO. A data breach caused by a known, patched vulnerability is one of the worst positions to be in during an investigation.

You can read more about why GDPR requires a secure website.

How to check your plugin versions

Method 1: WordPress dashboard

Log in to your WordPress admin panel and go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. WordPress shows an update notice next to any plugin that has a newer version available.

If you see a yellow banner saying "There is a new version available," update it. If the plugin says "This plugin has been closed" or "This plugin hasn't been tested with your version of WordPress," that's a bigger problem. It may be abandoned.

Method 2: WPScan vulnerability database

Go to wpscan.com/plugins and search for each plugin you use. WPScan shows all known vulnerabilities for each plugin with affected version ranges. Compare what you're running against what's listed.

Method 3: Security scanner

Run a security scan on your site. Our free website scanner checks for outdated software and known vulnerabilities as part of a broader compliance check.

Method 4: WP-CLI command line

If you have SSH access to your server, WP-CLI gives you the fastest overview:

wp plugin list --fields=name,version,update_version,status

This shows every installed plugin, its current version and whether an update is available. For a vulnerability check:

wp plugin list --update=available --format=table

How to audit your plugins

Updating isn't enough. You should also review which plugins you actually need.

Step 1: List all installed plugins. Include inactive ones. Inactive plugins can still be exploited if their files are on the server.

Step 2: For each plugin, ask these questions:

• Do I still use this plugin? If not, delete it. Not deactivate. Delete.
• When was the last update? If it hasn't been updated in over a year, consider replacing it.
• How many active installations does it have? Plugins with fewer than 1,000 users get less security scrutiny.
• Does it have a known vulnerability in my version? Check WPScan.

Step 3: Delete what you don't need. The fewer plugins you run, the smaller your attack surface. A typical small business site needs 8 to 15 plugins. If you have 30 or more, you almost certainly have redundant ones.

Setting up auto-updates

WordPress has supported auto-updates for plugins since version 5.5. Here is how to turn them on.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Next to each plugin, you'll see an "Enable auto-updates" link. Click it for each plugin you want to auto-update.

For all plugins at once, select all, then choose "Enable Auto-updates" from the Bulk Actions dropdown.

A word of caution: auto-updates can occasionally break your site if a plugin update conflicts with another plugin or your theme. For business-critical sites, consider using a staging environment to test updates first. Or at minimum, make sure you have daily backups running so you can roll back quickly.

You can also manage this through wp-config.php:

// Enable auto-updates for all plugins
add_filter( 'auto_update_plugin', '__return_true' );

What to do if you find a vulnerable plugin

If WPScan or another tool flags a vulnerability in one of your plugins:

1. Update immediately if a patched version exists
2. Deactivate and delete if no patch is available
3. Check for signs of compromise. Look for unfamiliar admin users, strange files in your uploads directory, or unexpected redirects
4. Change your passwords. WordPress admin, database, FTP and hosting panel
5. Scan for malware. Use a tool like Wordfence or run wp plugin verify-checksums via WP-CLI
6. If you find evidence of a breach and you handle EU customer data, you may need to report it to your data protection authority within 72 hours under GDPR

For a broader look at your website security, check our website security checklist.

Common Questions

How often should I check for plugin updates?

At least once a week. Better yet, enable auto-updates for most plugins and check manually for major version changes that might need testing first.

Are premium plugins safer than free ones?

Not necessarily. Premium plugins tend to have dedicated support teams, which means faster patches. But they've also had serious vulnerabilities. The key is whether the developer actively maintains the plugin, not whether it's free or paid.

Can a deactivated plugin be hacked?

Yes. If the plugin files are still on your server, an attacker can access vulnerable PHP files directly through the URL. Always delete plugins you're not using, don't just deactivate them.

My site is small. Would anyone bother hacking it?

Attacks on WordPress sites are automated. Bots scan millions of sites looking for known vulnerable plugin versions. They don't care how small your site is. If you're running a vulnerable version, you're a target.

Does my hosting company handle plugin security?

Most hosting companies handle server-level security but not application-level security. Your plugins are your responsibility. Some managed WordPress hosts offer automatic updates, but you should verify this rather than assume.

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