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Vulnerable plugins and themes are the #1 reason WordPress websites get hacked. The weekly WordPress Vulnerability Report powered by WPScan covers recent WordPress plugin, theme, and core vulnerabilities, and what to do if you run one of the vulnerable plugins or themes on your website.

Each vulnerability will have a severity rating of LowMediumHigh, or Critical. Responsible disclosure and reporting of vulnerabilities is an integral part of keeping the WordPress community safe.

As one of the largest WordPress Vulnerability Reports to date, please share this post with your friends to help get the word out and make WordPress safer for everyone.

Contents of the September 29, 2021 Report
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Several WordPress core security issues were disclosed and fixed. WordPress 5.8.1 was released as a security and maintenance release. As a best practice, always be sure to run the latest version of WordPress core!

WordPress Plugin Vulnerabilities

In this section, the latest WordPress plugin vulnerabilities have been disclosed. Each plugin listing includes the type of vulnerability, the version number if patched, and the severity rating.

1. Comments – wpDiscuz

Plugin: Comments – wpDiscuz
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 7.3.2
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 7.3.2.

Plugin: Page Generator 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.5.9
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.5.9.

3. WordPress to Hootsuite

Plugin: WordPress to Hootsuite
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.3.9
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.3.9.

4. WordPress to Buffer

Plugin: WordPress to Buffer
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 3.7.5
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 3.7.5.

5. Gutenberg PDF Viewer Block

Plugin: Gutenberg PDF Viewer Block 
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.0.1
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.0.1.

6. YITH WooCommerce Product Add-Ons

Plugin: YITH WooCommerce Product Add-Ons
Vulnerability: Authenticated Local File Inclusion
Patched in Version: 2.1.0
Severity Score: Medium

This vulnerability has been patched, but the plugin has been closed. You should find a replacement ASAP.

Plugin: YITH WooCommerce Product Add-Ons
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 2.1.0
Severity Score: High

This vulnerability has been patched, but the plugin has been closed. You should find a replacement ASAP.

7. To Top

Plugin: To Top  
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 2.3
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.3.

7. Header Enhancement

Plugin: Header Enhancement
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.5
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.5.

8. Generate Child Theme

Plugin: Generate Child Theme
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.6
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.6.

9. Essential Content Types

Plugin: Essential Content Types
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.9
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.9.

9. Catch Web Tools

Plugin: Catch Web Tools 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 2.7
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.7.

10. Essential Widgets 

Plugin: Software License Manager 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.9
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.9.

11. Catch Under Construction

Plugin: Catch Under Construction 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.4
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.4.

12. Catch Themes Demo Import

Plugin: Catch Themes Demo Import
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.6
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.6.

13. Catch Sticky Menu

Plugin: Catch Sticky Menu 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.7
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.7.

14. Catch Scroll Progress Bar

Plugin: Catch Scroll Progress Bar
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.6
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.6.

Plugin: Social Gallery and Widget
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 2.3
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.3.

16. Catch Infinite Scroll

Plugin: Catch Infinite Scroll
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.9
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.9.

17. Catch Import Export

Plugin: Catch Import Export 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.9
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.9.

Plugin: Catch Gallery 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.7
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.7.

19. Catch Duplicate Switcher

Plugin: Catch Duplicate Switcher 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.6
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.6.

20. Catch Breadcrumb

Plugin: Catch Breadcrumb
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 1.7
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.7.

21. Catch IDs 

Plugin: Catch IDs 
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 2.4
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.4.

22. Tutor LMS

Plugin: Tutor LMS 
Vulnerability: Multiple Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.9.9
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.9.9.

23. WP Import Export Lite

Plugin: WP Import Export Lite 
Vulnerability: Subscriber+ Extensions Update
Patched in Version: 3.9.5
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 3.9.5.

Plugin: WP Import Export Lite 
Vulnerability: Subscriber+ Arbitrary Blog Options Update
Patched in Version: 3.9.5
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 3.9.5.

24. One User Avatar

Plugin: One User Avatar
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 2.3.7
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.3.7.

Plugin: One User Avatar
Vulnerability: Avatar Update via CSRF
Patched in Version: 2.3.7
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.3.7.

25. Scroll Baner

Plugin: Scroll Baner 
Vulnerability: CSRF to RCE
Patched in Version: no known fix
Severity Score: Critical

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. Uninstall and delete the plugin until a patch is released.

26. WP Ticket

Plugin: WP Ticket
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 5.10.4
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 5.10.4.

Plugin: GamePress 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix
Severity Score: High

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. Uninstall and delete the plugin until a patch is released.

28. Wechat Reward

Plugin: Wechat Reward 
Vulnerability: CSRF to Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix
Severity Score: High

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. Uninstall and delete the plugin until a patch is released.

29. Sociable

Plugin: Sociable 
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix
Severity Score: Low

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. Uninstall and delete the plugin until a patch is released.

30. BetterDocs

Plugin: BetterDocs 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.9.2
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.9.2.

31. Multiple WooCommerce Add-Ons – multiple plugins

Plugin: Product Filter for WooCommerce 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 8.2.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 8.2.0.

Plugin: improved-variable-product-attributes 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 5.3.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 5.3.0.

Plugin: improved-sale-badges 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 4.4.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 4.4.0.

Plugin: share-print-pdf-woocommerce 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 2.8.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.8.0.

Plugin: product-loops
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 1.7.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.7.0.

Plugin: XforWooCommerce 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 1.7.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.7.0.

Plugin: package-quantity-xforwc 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 1.2.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.2.0.

Plugin: price-commander-xforwc 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 1.3.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.3.0.

Plugin: spam-control-xforwc 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 1.5.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.5.0.

Plugin: add-tabs-xforwc 
Vulnerability: Low Priv Arbitrary Blog Options Update/Access/Deletion & Plugin’s Settings Update/Export/Import
Patched in Version: 1.5.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.5.0.

Plugin: WP Cookie Choice
Vulnerability: CSRF to Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix
Severity Score: High

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of August 2, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

33. Easy Twitter Feed

Plugin: Easy Twitter Feed 
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.2
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.4.

34. Html5 Audio Player

Plugin: Html5 Audio Player 
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 2.1.3
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.1.3.

Plugin: Polo Video Gallery 
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Medium

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of July 27, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

36. StreamCast

Plugin: StreamCast  
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 2.1.1
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.1.1.

37. PDF Light Viewer

Plugin: PDF Light Viewer 
Vulnerability: Authenticated Command Injection
Patched in Version: 1.4.12
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.4.12.

38. MainWP Child Reports 

Plugin: MainWP Child Reports 
Vulnerability: Admin+ SQL Injection
Patched in Version: 2.0.8
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.0.8.

Plugin: LearnPress
Vulnerability: Unauthorised Plugin’s Setting Change
Patched in Version: 4.1.3.1
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 4.1.3.1.

Plugin: LearnPress
Vulnerability: Multiple Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 4.1.3.1
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 4.1.3.1.

40. OptinMonster

Plugin: OptinMonster 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Patched in Version: 2.6.1
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.6.1.

41. Frontend Uploader

Plugin: Frontend Uploader
Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Medium

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of July 22, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

42. Allow REL= and HTML in Author Bios

Plugin: Allow REL= and HTML in Author Bios – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org
Vulnerability: Author+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Medium

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of July 22, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

43. WP HTML Author Bio

Plugin: WP HTML Author Bio
Vulnerability: Author+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Medium

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of July 19, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

44. jQuery Reply to Comment 

Plugin: jQuery Reply to Comment 
Vulnerability: CSRF to Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: High

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of July 19, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

Plugin: Video Gallery – Vimeo and YouTube Gallery
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Low

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of September 15, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

46. Request a Quote

Plugin: Request a Quote 
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 2.3.5
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.3.5.

47. St Daily Tip

Plugin: St Daily Tip
Vulnerability: CSRF to Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: High

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of June 28, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

Plugin: Advance Search 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.1.3
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.1.3.

49. WP Mega Menu

Plugin: WP Mega Menu
Vulnerability: Subscriber+ Arbitrary Post Access
Patched in Version: 1.4.1
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.4.1.

Plugin: WP Mega Menu
Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Arbitrary Post Access
Patched in Version: 1.4.0
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.4.0.

50. Cherry Plugin 

Plugin: Cherry Plugin 
Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload and Download
Patched in Version: 1.2.7
Severity Score: Critical

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.2.7.

51. WP Job Manager

Plugin: WP Job Manager – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org 
Vulnerability: Phar Deserialization
Patched in Version: 1.31.3
Severity Score:

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.31.3.

Plugin: WP Job Manager – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org 
Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Object Injection
Patched in Version: 1.29.3
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.29.3.

Plugin: WP Job Manager – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org 
Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload
Patched in Version: 1.26.2
Severity Score: Critical

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.26.2.

Plugin: WP Job Manager – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Patched in Version: 1.23.8
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.23.8.

52. WP Mobile Detector

Plugin: WP Mobile Detector
Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload
Patched in Version: 3.6
Severity Score: Critical

This vulnerability has been patched, but the plugin has been closed. You should find a replacement ASAP.

53. Telefication

Plugin: Telefication
Vulnerability: Open Relay & Server-Side Request Forgery
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Medium

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of September 20, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

54. Game Server Status

Plugin: Game Server Status 
Vulnerability: Contributor+ SQL Injection
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: High

Plugin: Game Server Status 
Vulnerability: Admin+ SQL Injection
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Medium

Plugin: Game Server Status 
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Low

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of August 20, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

55. Responsive WordPress Slider

Plugin: Responsive WordPress Slider
Vulnerability: Subscriber+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Critical

Plugin: Responsive WordPress Slider
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Critical

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of September 20, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

56. Fetch Tweets 

Plugin: Fetch Tweets 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: High

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of August 9, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

57. WooCommerce

Plugin: WooCommerce 
Vulnerability: Analytics Report Leaks
Patched in Version: 5.7.0
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 5.7.0.

58. WooCommerce Admin

Plugin: WooCommerce Admin 
Vulnerability: Analytics Report Leaks
Patched in Version: 2.6.0
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.6.0.

Plugin: YT Player
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.4
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.4.

Plugin: Cookie Bar 
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Low

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of August 5, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

61. WP User Manager 

Plugin: WP User Manager 
Vulnerability: Arbitrary User Password Reset to Account Compromise
Patched in Version: 2.6.3
Severity Score: High

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.6.3.

62. Easy Media Download

Plugin: Easy Media Download
Vulnerability: Contributor+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.1.7
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.1.7.

Plugin: Ninja Forms 
Vulnerability: Unprotected REST-API to Sensitive Information Disclosure
Patched in Version: 3.5.8
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 3.5.8.

Plugin: Ninja Forms 
Vulnerability: Unprotected REST-API to Email Injection
Patched in Version: 3.5.8
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 3.5.8.

Plugin: Ninja Forms 
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 3.5.8.2
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 3.5.8.2.

64. 3DPrint Lite

Plugin: 3DPrint Lite
Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload
Patched in Version: no known fix – plugin closed
Severity Score: Critical

This vulnerability has NOT been patched. This plugin has been closed as of September 23, 2021. Uninstall and delete.

65. iQ Block Country 

Plugin: iQ Block Country
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 1.2.12
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 1.2.12.

Plugin: WordPress Popular Posts 
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 5.3.4
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 5.3.4.

67. Custom Dashboard & Login Page

Plugin: Custom Dashboard & Login Page
Vulnerability: Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 6.9.2
Severity Score: Low

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 6.9.2.

68. Bug Library 

Plugin: Bug Library 
Vulnerability: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Patched in Version: 2.0.4
Severity Score: Medium

The vulnerability is patched, so you should update to version 2.0.4.

A Note on Responsible Disclosure

You might be wondering why a vulnerability would be disclosed if it gives hackers an exploit to attack. Well, it is very common for a security researcher to find and privately report the vulnerability to the software developer.

With responsible disclosure, the researcher’s initial report is made privately to the developers of the company that owns the software, but with an agreement that the full details will be published once a patch has been made available. For significant security vulnerabilities, there may be a slight delay in disclosing the vulnerability to give more people time to patch.

The security researcher may provide a deadline for the software developer to respond to the report or to provide a patch. If this deadline is not met, then the researcher may publicly disclose the vulnerability to put pressure on the developer to issue a patch.

Publicly disclosing a vulnerability and seemingly introducing a Zero-Day vulnerability–a type of vulnerability that has no patch and is being exploited in the wild– may seem counterproductive. But, it is the only leverage that a researcher has to pressure the developer to patch the vulnerability.

If a hacker were to discover the vulnerability, they could quietly use the Exploit and cause damage to the end-user(this is you), while the software developer remains content on leaving the vulnerability unpatched. Google’s Project Zero has similar guidelines when it comes to disclosing vulnerabilities. They publish the full details of the vulnerability after 90 days whether or not the vulnerability has been patched.

How to Protect Your WordPress Website From Vulnerable Plugins and Themes

As you can see from this report, lots of new WordPress plugin and theme vulnerabilities are disclosed each week. We know it can be difficult to stay on top of every reported vulnerability disclosure, so the iThemes Security Pro plugin makes it easy to make sure your site isn’t running a theme, plugin or WordPress core version with a known vulnerability.

1. Turn on the iThemes Security Pro Site Scanner

The iThemes Security Pro plugin’s Site Scanner scans for the #1 reason WordPress sites get hacked: outdated plugins and themes with known vulnerabilities. The Site Scanner checks your site for known vulnerabilities and automatically applies a patch if one is available.

To enable the Site Scan on new installs, navigate to the Site Check tab on the Features menu inside the plugin and click the toggle to enable the Site Scan.

To trigger a manual Site Scan, click the Scan Now button on the Site Scan Security Dashboard card.

If the Site Scan detects a vulnerability, click the vulnerability link to view the details page.

On the Site Scan vulnerability page, you will see if there is a fix available for the vulnerability. If there is a patch available, you can click the Update Plugin button to apply the fix on your website.

2. Turn on Version Management to Auto Update if Fixes Vulnerability

The Version Management feature in iThemes Security Pro integrates with the Site Scan to protect your site when outdated software is not updated quickly enough. Even the strongest security measures will fail if you are running vulnerable software on your website. These settings help protect your site with options to update to new versions automatically if a known vulnerability exists and a patch is available.

From the Settings page in iThemes Security Pro, navigate to the Features screen. Click the Site Check tab. From here, use the toggle to enable Version Management. Using the settings gear, you can configure even more settings, including how you want iThemes Security Pro to handle updates to WordPress, plugins, themes, and additional protection.

Make sure to select Auto Update if it Fixes a Vulnerability box so that iThemes Security Pro will automatically update a plugin or theme if it fixes a vulnerability that was found by the Site Scanner.

3. Get an Email Alert When iThemes Security Pro Finds a Known Vulnerability On Your Site

Once you’ve enabled Site Scan Scheduling, head to the Notification Center settings of the plugin. On this screen, scroll to the Site Scan Results section.

Click the box to enable the notification email and then click the Save Settings button.

Now, during any scheduled site scans, you’ll get an email if iThemes Security Pro discovers any known vulnerabilities. The email will look something like this.

Get iThemes Security Pro and Rest a Little Easier Tonight

iThemes Security Pro, our WordPress security plugin, offers 50+ ways to secure and protect your website from common WordPress security vulnerabilities. With WordPress, two-factor authentication, brute force protection, strong password enforcement, and more, you can add extra layers of security to your website.

Each week, Michael puts together the WordPress Vulnerability Report to help keep your sites safe. As Product Manager at iThemes, he helps us continue to improve the iThemes product lineup. He’s a giant nerd & loves learning about all things tech, old & new. You can find Michael hanging out with his wife & daughter, reading or listening to music when not working.

This content was originally published here.