We have seen the WordPress Sites at Risk first-hand

We recently analyzed and resolved a SQL injection on one of our clients’ websites. They did not invest in the extra layer of security we provide at an additional cost for high-traffic volume websites to maintain the cost. 

However, within a year of launch, the website was breached. What we noticed is that there was an overwhelming number of users and random posts created on the site. The Manila-based business had an e-commerce website, so extra security should be a must.

We had to sort through over 17,000 compromised user accounts and around 600 posts and scan the whole core of the CMS. With this experience, we decided to write this article so fellow web design and development companies in Sri Lanka can offer the extra layer of security as mandatory to their clients moving forward, stressing the importance of it.

We don’t believe the client was transparent enough to let their customer base know of the attack that compromised their customers’ official information. However, we ensured that the website was clean.

Uncovering a Web of Plugin Vulnerabilities, Malware Networks, and AdTech Exploits

A rising tide of sophisticated cyberattacks is threatening WordPress websites across the globe. For the millions of businesses, bloggers, and creators who rely on this platform, the danger is no longer simple or isolated. From plugin flaws that open the front door to hackers to vast malware-spreading networks hidden within digital advertising, WordPress site owners are facing layered and constantly evolving threats.

This article breaks down the clear and present danger. We will explore recently discovered critical vulnerabilities, uncover how hackers are teaming up with advertising technology (AdTech) firms to distribute malware on a global scale, and provide practical, easy-to-understand strategies to defend your website and protect your brand.

Critical Vulnerabilities in Popular WordPress Plugins

The tools that make WordPress so powerful and easy to use, plugins, can also be its greatest weakness. Recently, severe vulnerabilities have been found in popular plugins, putting hundreds of thousands of websites in immediate danger.

CVSS 10.0: TI WooCommerce Wishlist Plugin Leaves 100,000+ Sites Exposed

A catastrophic vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-47577, was discovered in the TI WooCommerce Wishlist plugin, which is active on over 100,000 e-commerce sites. This flaw has been given a severity score of 10.0 out of 10, the highest possible rating, meaning it is incredibly easy to exploit and can cause maximum damage.

The problem lies in how the plugin handles file uploads. It misuses a core WordPress function called wp_handle_upload(). Specifically, the developers set a parameter called test_type to false, which essentially tells WordPress, “Don’t worry about checking what kind of file this is, just upload it.” This mistake allows an attacker to upload any type of file, including malicious scripts, without even needing to be logged in.

To carry out an attack, one main condition must be met: the site must also have the “WC Fields Factory” plugin installed and integrated with the wishlist plugin. If this condition is met, a hacker could upload a PHP file, a script that can run commands on your website’s server. By accessing that uploaded file, they could achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE), giving them complete control over the website. They could steal customer data, install more malware, or delete the site entirely.

Urgent Recommendation: There is currently no patch for this vulnerability. If you are using the TI WooCommerce Wishlist plugin, you must deactivate and delete it immediately to protect your site.

LiteSpeed Cache Plugin (CVE-2024-28000) Actively Exploited

Another critical flaw, CVE-2024-28000, affects the LiteSpeed Cache plugin, used by over five million websites to improve their speed. This vulnerability allows an attacker to escalate their privileges, effectively making themselves an administrator of the site.

The flaw is due to a weak security check that uses a predictable hash. Attackers can repeatedly guess this hash in a “brute-force” attack. Once successful, they can create a new, rogue administrator account, giving them a permanent backdoor and full control to deface the site, steal information, or use it for other malicious activities.

According to data from the security firm Wordfence, this vulnerability is not just theoretical; it is being actively and aggressively exploited. At its peak, they blocked over 48,500 attacks targeting this flaw in a single 24-hour period. Worryingly, it is estimated that only about 30% of the vulnerable sites have been patched, leaving millions exposed.

Action: If your site uses the LiteSpeed Cache plugin, you must update to version 6.4.1 or newer immediately. If you cannot update, remove the plugin to prevent a takeover.

The Malware Supply Chain

From WordPress Vulnerabilities to Global AdTech Networks

A hacked WordPress site is often just the first step in a much larger criminal operation. Hackers are now key suppliers in a global malware distribution chain, and they have found willing, if sometimes unwitting, partners in the world of online advertising.

DNS Forensics Reveal Links Between Hackers and VexTrio TDS Operators

Recent analysis by the cybersecurity firm Infoblox dug into 4.5 million DNS records from hacked websites. This digital forensics work uncovered a vast and shadowy infrastructure run by a group they call VexTrio. VexTrio operates a Traffic Distribution System (TDS), which is like a traffic cop for the internet, directing users from one place to another.

Infoblox discovered command-and-control (C2) servers, the hubs used by hackers to manage their malware, that were controlled by Russian operators. Their research showed how various malware campaigns, which infect WordPress sites, all feed visitor traffic into the VexTrio network. When authorities disrupt one part of their network, these operators simply migrate to other TDS providers, showing a high level of coordination.

The Shadow Alliance

WordPress Hackers + AdTech Firms = Global Malware Distribution

Here’s how the scheme works: A hacker compromises a WordPress site using a plugin vulnerability. They then install a script that secretly redirects site visitors. Those visitors are funneled into the VexTrio TDS, which then sells this traffic to AdTech companies.

These AdTech networks, including firms identified as Partners House, Bro Push, and RichAds, then use this river of traffic for their own purposes. They often serve up malicious push notifications or pop-up ads. You may have seen them: fake “You have a virus” alerts or deceptive CAPTCHA challenges that trick you into subscribing to notifications. Once you click “Allow,” your device is bombarded with ads that can lead to scams, phishing pages, or direct malware downloads.

The case of Los Pollos, another ad network, is revealing. When it stopped certain monetization practices, researchers noted a spike in malware being rerouted through other channels. This shows how deeply intertwined these AdTech firms are in the malware economy, exploiting the trust people have in the digital ads that appear on legitimate websites.

How This Impacts You: Brand Trust, Data Theft & Revenue Loss

If your website is part of this malicious supply chain, the consequences can be devastating for your business or personal brand.

Real-World Risks for WordPress Site Owners

• SEO Damage and Blacklisting: If your site is caught redirecting to malware, Google and other search engines will blacklist it, removing you from search results and destroying your organic traffic overnight.
• Compromised Customer Data: For e-commerce or membership sites, a breach means hackers can steal names, email addresses, and other personal information, leading to massive privacy violations.
• Malicious Redirects Eroding Trust: When a visitor comes to your site for information and is instead sent to a scammy, virus-ridden page, you lose all credibility. That visitor will not return and may warn others to stay away.

AdTech’s Role and Responsibility in Cybercrime

This massive distribution network can’t function without the AdTech platforms that monetize the stolen traffic. These firms have a responsibility to vet their partners and traffic sources much more rigorously. By turning a blind eye, they are profiting from cybercrime. The big question remains: will these AdTech firms cooperate with law enforcement and security researchers to expose the threat actors they do business with? Until they do, they remain a critical and liable link in the malware supply chain.

Actionable Cybersecurity Guidance for WordPress Sites

Protecting your website requires a multi-layered defense strategy. Here are some key areas to focus on, explained in simple terms.

How to Spot a Deepfake Before It Costs Your Company

Deepfakes, AI-generated videos or audio clips that realistically mimic a real person, are becoming a powerful tool for phishing. A hacker could use a deepfake of your CEO’s voice in an email to trick an employee into making a fraudulent wire transfer. Train your teams to be skeptical of urgent, unusual requests, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Always verify such requests through a different communication channel, like a direct phone call.

Fix Your CIAM Weak Points Before AI Exploits Them

Customer Identity & Access Management (CIAM) is how you manage your users’ logins, registrations, and profiles. Hackers are using AI to test for weaknesses in these systems at incredible speed. To protect your users,

• Harden Login Flows: Enforce strong passwords and use tools that limit login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.
• Secure Form Inputs: Ensure that registration and profile forms are properly sanitized to prevent malicious code from being injected.

Your Salesforce Data Isn’t as Safe as You Think

Many WordPress sites are connected to other services like Salesforce or other CRMs through APIs. If your WordPress site is hacked, these connections can become a bridge for attackers to access the treasure trove of customer data in your CRM. This is a cascading risk. Securing your WordPress site is crucial for protecting all the other systems it talks to.

IAM Compliance Audits: How to Improve Outcomes

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is about who has access to the backend of your website. To keep it secure,

• Use Role-Based Access: Don’t give every user administrator privileges. Assign roles (like Editor or Contributor) with the minimum permissions they need to do their job.
• Enforce Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds a crucial layer of security, requiring a code from a user’s phone in addition to their password.
• Conduct Regular Audits: Periodically review who has access to your site and remove any users who no longer need it.

The Hidden Cost of Treating Compliance as an Afterthought

If your site is breached and customer data is exposed, the costs go far beyond cleanup. You could face significant fines under regulations like GDPR for failing to protect data. More importantly, you will lose customers who no longer trust you with their private information.

Exposed Developer Secrets Are a Big Problem. AI Is Making Them Worse

Developers sometimes accidentally leave “secrets”, like API keys, passwords, or authentication tokens, in a plugin’s code or a public code repository on sites like GitHub. These are literal keys to your digital kingdom. Today, attackers are using AI-powered scanners to hunt for these exposed secrets with frightening efficiency. A single leaked key could give an attacker access to your hosting account, payment gateway, or other integrated services. Use secret managers to store these credentials securely and always review code before it goes live.

The Great Platform Debate

When security incidents happen, it’s common for people to question the platform itself. You’ll often hear developers or business owners say things like, “That’s why I use a custom-coded site,” or “Website builders like Wix are safer.” But are these statements accurate? Let’s bust some myths and look at the real pros and cons of the alternatives.

Is WordPress Inherently Insecure?

The most persistent myth is that WordPress is, by its very nature, an insecure platform. This is fundamentally false.

The reality is that the WordPress core software itself is very secure. It’s maintained by a dedicated, global team of developers and security experts who constantly monitor for threats and release patches quickly. Major corporations like Sony Music, government bodies, and news outlets like CNN trust WordPress to power their high-traffic websites. They wouldn’t do so if the platform were fundamentally flawed.

So, why does WordPress have a reputation for being insecure? There are three main reasons,

1. Popularity: WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet. This massive market share makes it the biggest target for hackers. It’s not that WordPress is easier to hack; it’s just that attackers cast their nets where the most fish are.
2. The User’s Responsibility: The vast majority of WordPress hacks are not due to a flaw in the core platform. They are caused by user-side issues: outdated plugins, themes with bad code, weak passwords, a lack of security plugins, or cheap, insecure hosting.
3. The Open Ecosystem: The greatest strength of WordPress, its endless customizability through third-party plugins and themes, is also its biggest potential weakness. A poorly coded or abandoned plugin can create a severe vulnerability, as we’ve seen in the examples above.

Think of it like this: The Toyota Camry is one of the world’s best-selling cars. Does this mean more Camrys are involved in accidents than any other car? Yes, statistically. But is it because the car itself is unsafe? No. It’s because there are so many of them on the road, driven by people with varying levels of skill and attention to maintenance.

Security is not just about the platform; it’s about the processes and maintenance surrounding it. A well-maintained WordPress site with carefully chosen plugins, strong passwords, and quality hosting is just as secure as any other solution.

Alternatives to WordPress – A Head-to-Head Comparison

Choosing a platform is about balancing security, cost, flexibility, and ease of use. Here’s how the main alternatives stack up against each other.

Alternative	Pros	Cons	Best For
Custom-Coded Site	Unmatched Security: Built from scratch, it has no common vulnerabilities for automated bots to target. The attack surface is unique and unknown to outsiders. Peak Performance: Code is written only for what you need, making the site incredibly fast and efficient. Total Flexibility: No limits on design or functionality. If you can dream it, a developer can build it.	Extremely High Cost: Development requires highly skilled (and expensive) programmers. Costs can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Long Development Time: Building from the ground up takes significantly more time than using a template or CMS. Difficult Maintenance: Any update, change, or security patch requires a developer. You can’t just “log in and update a plugin.”	Businesses with highly specific, unique functional requirements, a large budget, and where security is the absolute top priority (e.g., banking portals, proprietary enterprise applications).
Website Builders (e.g., Wix, Squarespace)	Vendor-Managed Security: The platform handles all security updates, patches, and hosting security. It’s a “closed” system, which you don’t have to worry about maintaining. Ease of Use: Extremely beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop interfaces. No technical knowledge is required. All-in-One Solution: Hosting, support, and features are all included in a single monthly fee.	Limited Flexibility: You are confined to the templates and tools the vendor provides. Custom functionality is very restricted. “Rented” Platform: You don’t own your website’s underlying software. If you decide to leave, migrating your site can be very difficult or impossible. Less Control: You have no control over the server or deep security settings. You are entirely dependent on the vendor’s security measures.	Small businesses, artists, freelancers, and individuals who need a simple, professional-looking website quickly and want a hands-off approach to all technical maintenance and security.
Headless CMS / Jamstack	Superior Security Architecture: Decouples the content management backend from the front-end display. This dramatically reduces the attack surface. There’s often no direct connection to a database for hackers to exploit. Exceptional Speed: Serves pre-built, static files, which are incredibly fast to load, boosting SEO and user experience. High Scalability: Static sites hosted on a Content Delivery Network (CDN) can handle massive traffic spikes with ease.	High Technical Barrier: Requires modern development knowledge (JavaScript, APIs, Git workflows). Not for beginners or those who want to manage a site without a developer. Complex Setup: More moving parts to manage (e.g., the CMS, the static site generator, the hosting/CDN, build processes). Fewer “Easy” Features: Simple things like forms or search often require integrating third-party services via APIs, rather than just installing a plugin.	Tech-forward companies, marketing sites, and applications where performance and security are paramount, and a skilled development team is available to manage the modern workflow.

The Critical Role of Hosting in Security

While plugins and user passwords are common weak points, the very foundation your website is built on—the hosting server—plays an equally critical role in its security. You can have the most secure application in the world, but if the server it lives on has a weak defense, your site is still vulnerable.

Think of it this way: your WordPress site is the treasure inside a castle. The plugins are the doors and windows, and your passwords are the keys. But the hosting server is the castle itself—the stone walls, the moat, and the guards at the gate. If those walls are crumbling, it doesn’t matter how strong the doors are.

A quality hosting provider actively protects your site on the server level with essential measures like,

• Server-Side Firewalls: These act as a powerful perimeter defense, inspecting traffic before it even reaches your WordPress site and blocking known malicious requests.
• Malware Scanning: Reputable hosts regularly scan their servers for malware, identifying and quarantining threats that might have been placed there.
• DDoS Protection: Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks flood a server with so much traffic that it crashes. Good hosts have systems in place to absorb and block these attacks, keeping your site online.
• User Isolation: This is a crucial concept that prevents one hacked website from affecting others on the same server.

The type of hosting plan you choose has a direct and significant impact on the level of security and isolation your website receives.

Shared, VPS, or Dedicated? A Security Showdown

Understanding the difference between hosting types is key to making an informed decision about your website’s security foundation.

Hosting Type	How It Works (Simplified)	Security Pros	Security Cons
Shared Hosting	Your website lives on a server with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of other websites. You all share the same server resources (CPU, RAM, IP address). It’s like living in a large apartment building.	Low Cost: The most affordable option. Managed by Host: The hosting company handles all server maintenance, security patches, and updates.	High Risk of Cross-Contamination: This is the biggest security drawback. If another website on your shared server gets hacked due to a vulnerability, the attacker may be able to “move laterally” and infect all other sites on that server, including yours. Your security is only as strong as your weakest neighbor’s. “Noisy Neighbor” Effect: A resource-hogging or attacked site on your server can slow down or crash your site. Limited Control: You have no control over server-level security configurations.
VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)	A physical server is partitioned into several “virtual” servers. Each VPS acts like its own independent server with its own dedicated resources and operating system, even though you still share the physical hardware with a few other users. It’s like owning a townhouse; you share the land but have your own separate house.	Excellent Isolation: This is a major security upgrade from shared hosting. Your virtual server is isolated from others, so a hacked “neighbor” cannot directly infect your website’s files. The risk of cross-contamination is dramatically reduced. More Control: You often get “root” access, allowing you to install custom security software and configure settings to harden your environment. Guaranteed Resources: Your site’s performance is not affected by other users on the hardware.	More Responsibility: You are often responsible for managing your own virtual server, including security patches and software updates (unless you pay extra for a “Managed VPS” plan). Higher Cost: More expensive than shared hosting due to the dedicated resources and improved security. Requires Technical Skill: Properly configuring and securing a VPS requires more technical knowledge than a simple shared hosting plan.
Dedicated Hosting	You rent an entire physical server exclusively for your website(s). You have full control over all hardware and software. It’s like owning a standalone house with its own property.	Maximum Security: This is the most secure option. You have complete isolation from all other users, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination entirely. Complete Control: You have total authority to install any security measures, firewalls, and custom configurations you need. Peak Performance: All server resources are 100% dedicated to your site, providing the best possible speed and reliability.	Highest Cost: This is the most expensive hosting option by a significant margin. Full Responsibility: You (or a hired system administrator) are entirely responsible for managing every aspect of the server, from operating system updates to security, backups, and troubleshooting. High Technical Requirement: Requires expert-level knowledge to manage and secure effectively.

The Cost of Complacency in Cybersecurity

This is directly speaking to businesses in Sri Lanka that plan to grow rapidly, and also trying to keep costs low. Convenience comes with risk. As our websites, plugins, ad platforms, and business tools become more connected, so does the surface area that attackers can target. 

Complacency is no longer an option.

Hackers are not lone wolves in hoodies anymore; they are part of a sophisticated, global, and highly profitable criminal industry that leverages the power of AI to expedite the development of new attacks. 

Maintaining a secure WordPress site by keeping plugins updated, enforcing strong access controls, and understanding the broader threat landscape isn’t just a technical task; it’s foundational to your brand’s credibility and survival.