Ah, WordPress. The beloved backbone of the internet. It’s like the trusty old car you’ve had since college—practical, reliable, endlessly customizable, but prone to the occasional breakdown that has you calling for help at 2 a.m. Trust me, as someone whose job revolves around keeping websites safe from digital mischief-makers, dealing with the WordPress flaws hackers targeted in Q1 2025 was no walk in the park. And by “walk in the park,” I mean it was an obstacle course with hackers lurking behind every tree.
Here’s the thing: WordPress plugins and themes are like the cozy, inviting extensions of your home. They make your site unique, but oh boy, if you don’t keep them secure, it’s basically like leaving your front door wide open with a neon “WELCOME HACKERS” sign. And Q1 brought out the best of the worst. Let’s talk about the four WordPress flaws hackers couldn’t resist targeting.
Four WordPress Flaws that Received the Most Exploitation Attempts
According to the report by Patchstack, the four WordPress flaws that received the most exploitation attempts in Q1 2025 highlight the critical importance of keeping plugins and themes updated. These vulnerabilities, discovered and patched in 2024, remained unpatched on many websites, giving hackers ample opportunities to exploit them. Let’s dive into each flaw and its impact.
1. CVE-2024-27956: The “Sneaky SQL Injection” Dance
Imagine you’ve got this fantastic plugin—the WordPress Automatic Plugin—that works like a digital assistant, automating tasks without a hitch. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, it was… until a critical SQL injection vulnerability (CVE-2024-27956) turned it into a hacker’s playground. This flaw allowed unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the auth POST parameter in the CSV export feature.
Translation? Hackers could tamper with databases, extract sensitive information, or inject malicious code to wreak havoc. For businesses relying on WordPress, the consequences included potential data breaches, site defacement, and damaged reputations.
Though this issue was fixed in version 3.92.1, the real problem was that many sites hadn’t yet updated their plugins, leaving them wide open to exploitation. According to Patchstack, over 6,500 attack attempts were blocked this year alone—highlighting just how tempting this vulnerability was to hackers. With over 40,000 installations affected, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
The takeaway? Regular updates are your best defense. Without them, vulnerabilities like this one become a golden ticket for hackers looking to cause trouble. To Check SQL Injection Vulnerability Online – Follow this Ultimate Security Guide.
2. CVE-2024-4345: File Upload Vulnerability in Startklar Elementor Addons
Picture this: You’re using the Startklar Elementor Addons plugin to give your website that extra flair, making it stand out in the crowded world of the web. But instead of helping you create a stunning site, a missing file type validation flaw turned this plugin into an open invitation for hackers. The result? Unauthenticated attackers could upload executable files, gaining complete control over affected websites.
The flaw was a goldmine for malicious actors, as it allowed them to:
- Deploy backdoors for persistent access to your site.
- Install malware or malicious scripts that could harm visitors or further compromise the site.
- Turn your site into a platform to launch attacks against others.
According to Patchstack, this vulnerability affected over 5,000 installations. The fix arrived in version 1.7.14, but many admins were unaware of the risk until exploitation attempts began ramping up. It was a clear reminder of how even small plugins can create big problems if left unpatched.
The takeaway? Always verify what’s being uploaded to your site—it’s like checking the guest list before letting anyone into your party. Also, read Clean WordPress from Malware – Important Guide to Secure Your Site.
3. CVE-2024-25600: Remote Code Execution in Bricks Theme
The Bricks theme is known for its sleek design and flexibility, but in Q1 2025, it became notorious for something else—a critical remote code execution vulnerability. Hackers exploited the bricks/v1/render_element REST route, bypassing weak permission checks and leveraging exposed nonces to run their own PHP code on affected sites. With over 30,000 installations, this flaw quickly caught their attention.
The impacts were serious:
- Unauthorized access: Hackers could gain full control over sites, tamper with content, or even lock out admins entirely.
- Malware deployment: Compromised sites could be used to distribute harmful code or serve as part of larger botnet attacks.
- Widespread chaos: Since compromised sites could also target others, the ripple effect was significant.
The vulnerability was fixed in version 1.9.6.1, but until then, exploitation attempts kept many site administrators on edge. For more relative information, read Understanding the “Index of /wp-content/uploads” Vulnerability.
The lesson here? Secure your themes and APIs because hackers love to sneak in where permission checks are weak.
4. CVE-2024-8353: Vulnerability in GiveWP Plugin (PHP Object Injection)
Imagine running a nonprofit organization, using the GiveWP plugin to accept donations and make a real difference in the world. Now, imagine hackers exploiting a PHP object injection vulnerability through insecure deserialization of donation parameters. It’s a chilling thought—especially since over 100,000 installations were affected.
The risks posed by this flaw included:
- Full site takeover: Hackers could gain admin-level access and completely control the site.
- Theft of donor data: Sensitive information provided by donors, such as names and financial details, could be stolen.
- Disruption of operations: For nonprofits relying on GiveWP, the consequences were dire—lost trust, financial harm, and potential damage to their mission.
The vulnerability was patched in version 3.16.2, but until then, Patchstack reported hundreds of attempted attacks blocked. This particular flaw served as a powerful reminder that security is essential, especially for organizations that depend on public trust.
The bottom line? If you’re running a site that handles sensitive data, make sure every component is secure—or risk losing far more than just donations.
Conclusion: My Take on Staying Secure
The vulnerabilities exploited in Q1 2025 serve as a stark reminder that website security is an ongoing process. As a WordPress security expert, my advice is simple:
- Update Regularly: Always apply the latest updates to plugins, themes, and WordPress core. Staying ahead of the WordPress flaws hackers targeted in Q1 2025 is crucial—delayed updates are like leaving your doors unlocked.
- Audit Your Site: Remove unused plugins and themes, delete dormant accounts, and ensure strong passwords and multi-factor authentication protect admin accounts. Regular audits help prevent weak points, especially against the WordPress flaws hackers targeted in Q1 2025.
- Invest in Security Tools: Consider using virtual patches or firewalls to block exploitation attempts in real time.
Remember, hackers are always scanning for weaknesses. Staying proactive is the best defense against potential threats.