Running a WordPress site in 2025 means dealing with an ever-evolving landscape of security threats. I’ve been monitoring thousands of WordPress installations through my security scanning service, and I can tell you that the same vulnerabilities keep appearing over and over again. The good news? Most of them are preventable if you know what to look for.
Let me walk you through the ten most common security issues I’m seeing right now, and more importantly, how you can protect your site from them.
1. Outdated WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins
This one tops the list for a reason. About 60% of hacked WordPress sites I’ve analyzed were running outdated software. When WordPress releases an update, hackers immediately know there was a vulnerability in the previous version – and they start scanning for sites that haven’t updated yet.
I learned this lesson the hard way back in 2019 when a client’s site got compromised because they were running WordPress 5.0 while version 5.2 was already out. The attackers exploited a known XSS vulnerability that had been patched months earlier.
Set up automatic updates for minor releases and security patches. For major updates, test them on a staging site first, but don’t delay more than a week or two.
2. Weak Login Credentials
You’d think this would be obvious by now, but ”admin” and ”password123” are still shockingly common. Brute force attacks are automated and run 24/7, trying thousands of username and password combinations.
Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords – at least 16 characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols. Change the default ”admin” username to something unique. Enable two-factor authentication through plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security.
3. Missing or Misconfigured SSL Certificates
In 2025, there’s no excuse for not having HTTPS enabled. Beyond the SEO benefits, an expired or improperly configured SSL certificate leaves your site vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks where data can be intercepted.
I’ve seen sites where the SSL was installed but mixed content warnings appeared because some resources were still loading over HTTP. Make sure all your resources – images, scripts, stylesheets – are loaded via HTTPS. Use SSL checker tools to verify your configuration is correct.
4. SQL Injection Vulnerabilities
SQL injection attacks allow hackers to manipulate your database queries and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. This usually happens through poorly coded plugins or themes that don’t properly sanitize user inputs.
Always use prepared statements when writing custom code. If you’re using third-party plugins, stick to those with regular updates and good reviews. Run security scans that specifically check for SQL injection vulnerabilities in your forms and search functions.
5. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks
XSS vulnerabilities let attackers inject malicious scripts into your web pages, which then execute in your visitors’ browsers. These can steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or deface your content.
The solution involves proper input validation and output escaping. WordPress has built-in functions like esc_html() and wp_kses() that developers should use religiously. If you’re not coding yourself, make sure your themes and plugins come from reputable sources that follow WordPress coding standards.
6. File Upload Vulnerabilities
Contact forms and media uploaders can become backdoors if they’re not properly secured. Attackers try to upload malicious PHP files disguised as images or documents, which they can then execute to take control of your site.
Restrict file upload types to only what’s necessary. Validate file extensions on both client and server side. Store uploaded files outside your web root when possible, or at minimum, ensure the uploads directory has proper permissions and .htaccess rules to prevent PHP execution.
7. Insecure XML-RPC Interface
XML-RPC is a feature that allows remote connections to WordPress, which sounds convenient but creates a massive attack surface. It’s commonly exploited for brute force attacks and DDoS amplification.
Unless you specifically need XML-RPC (for mobile apps or certain integrations), disable it completely. Add this to your .htaccess file or use a security plugin that can block XML-RPC requests. If you do need it, implement IP whitelisting to restrict access.
8. Directory Listing and Information Disclosure
When directory listing is enabled, visitors can browse your site’s file structure and see configuration files, backup files, and other sensitive information. I’ve found database credentials exposed this way more times than I care to count.
Add ”Options -Indexes” to your .htaccess file to disable directory browsing. Remove or protect any readme files, installation logs, and configuration backups. Use security headers like X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options to prevent information leakage.
9. Vulnerable Third-Party Integrations
Your WordPress site probably connects to external services – payment gateways, email marketing platforms, analytics tools. Each integration is a potential weak point, especially if API keys are hardcoded or stored insecurely.
Store API keys in your wp-config.php file above the database credentials, not in your theme files. Use environment variables when possible. Regularly audit which services have access to your site and revoke access for any you’re no longer using.
10. Lack of Security Monitoring and Logging
Here’s something most site owners overlook: you need to know when something goes wrong. Without proper logging and monitoring, a breach might go undetected for months while attackers steal data or use your server for malicious purposes.
Implement activity logging through plugins like WP Security Audit Log. Set up file integrity monitoring to alert you when core files change unexpectedly. Run regular security scans – daily if possible – to catch new vulnerabilities as they emerge.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
The reality is that WordPress security isn’t a one-time setup task. It requires ongoing vigilance and regular maintenance. The sites that get hacked are usually the ones that got comfortable and stopped paying attention.
Take an hour this week to review your site against this checklist. Update everything that needs updating. Strengthen your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication. Set up automated backups so that if the worst does happen, you can recover quickly.
Most security breaches are preventable with basic hygiene and regular attention. Your future self will thank you for taking these precautions now rather than dealing with a compromised site later.