What is Patchstack and how does it protect your WordPress site?

WordPress plays a fundamental role on the internet as we know it today. Recent statistics show that it powers more than 43% of all active websites, making it the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world.  

The flip side of this success is that its popularity makes it a constant target for security threats and attacks. And it’s not just hackers that pose a risk: as an open-source system, the WordPress ecosystem of plugins, themes, and tools is broad and diverse, which makes programming flaws quite common. 

This is where Patchstack comes in. It’s a security platform specifically designed to find, detect, and mitigate vulnerabilities on WordPress sites. This article will explore how this essential tool works, what it’s for, and what to do when a threat is detected. We’ll also break down the most common vulnerabilities based on Patchstack’s data. 

What is Patchstack? 

Patchstack is a WordPress vulnerability monitoring tool that helps detect, counter, and gather data on security threats in plugins, themes, and the WordPress core.  

Its main features include: 

• Real-time detection of vulnerabilities across the WordPress ecosystem. 
• Sent automatic alerts to users when threats are found. 
• Detailed reports for each vulnerability, including technical data and recommendations. 
• Virtual patching to protect the website even if the vulnerable component hasn’t been updated. 
• A centralised dashboard to monitor the website’s security status. 
• Public threat databases related to the WordPress ecosystem. 

Patchstack’s primary goal is prevention, meaning the platform does not scan for or remove malware from a WordPress website. Instead, it monitors and identifies vulnerabilities before malware is introduced or spreads. 

What are WordPress vulnerabilities? 

With ‘vulnerabilities’, we are referring to bugs or flaws in the core WordPress code, plugins, or installed themes. Cybercriminals can exploit these weaknesses to: 

• Gain unauthorised access to the site’s admin panel. 

• Modify content, spread malware, or inject spam. 

• Steal personal or sensitive data (e.g., customer info, forms, etc.). 

• Completely shut down the website. 

Vulnerabilities are not always intentional. They’re often a result of poor coding or outdated software. Still, the mere existence of a vulnerability already represents a significant risk to the security of your WordPress site. 

WordPress is particularly sensitive to these issues because one of its greatest strengths is its flexibility in allowing users to install third-party plugins and themes. This also means there are many possible entry points for threats. Each new extension increases the likelihood of a vulnerability. 

Patchstack’s latest data shows that nearly 8.000 new vulnerabilities were identified in the WordPress ecosystem in just one year, more than 20 per day. In 2024, the number of detected vulnerabilities rose by 34% compared to the previous year. Most of these were found in plugins. 

Their database is updated daily with new findings, thanks partly to its bug bounty program that rewards ethical hackers for discovering and reporting vulnerabilities. 

Patchstack isn’t the only platform focused on identifying WordPress vulnerabilities, but it’s one of the most effective. In recent years, its community has reported more than 50% of all known vulnerabilities in the ecosystem. Other notable players in the field include Wordfence and WPScan. 

How to use the Patchstack vulnerability database 

Patchstack maintains a public and up-to-date database of WordPress vulnerabilities. This resource is valuable for developers and website administrators who want to stay informed about the latest security risks. 

You can search for vulnerabilities by plugin name, theme, type of bug, or publication date. Each entry includes: 

• A description of the vulnerability. 
• The affected version of the plugin, theme, or WordPress core. 
• The type of threat (e.g., remote code execution, SQL injection, XSS, etc.). 
• Information on whether a patch or update is available. 

Each vulnerability is assigned a severity score based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) system. The higher the number, the more critical the threat: 

• Low (0.0 – 3.9) 
• Medium (4.0 – 6.9) 
• High (7.0 – 8.9) 
• Critical (9.0 and above) 

If you have a Patchstack account, you’ll get an overview of your websites with three key areas: vulnerabilities, blocked threats, and software status. 

In the vulnerabilities section, you can view the detected issues categorised by priority level: 

• High priority: threats that are active or very likely to be exploited. These require urgent updates or Patchstack firewall activation. 
• Medium priority: may be used in targeted attacks. Prompt patching is recommended. 
• Low priority: not expected to be exploited. Virtual patches are not issued, but keeping software updated is still advised. 

In the blocked threats section, you’ll see a chart showing the total number of attacks blocked by Patchstack across all your sites. You can filter this data by period (7 days, 1 month, 6 months, or 1 year). 

In the ‘Software’ section, you’ll find a breakdown of how many software components (plugins, themes, core) are installed on your sites, how many are vulnerable, and how many are disabled. 

What to do if a vulnerability is detected on your website 

If Patchstack detects a vulnerability on your WordPress site, don’t panic! Follow these recommended steps: 

1. Review the alert: Read the vulnerability report carefully to understand which component is affected, how severe it is, and whether it’s already being exploited. This will help you assess how urgent your response should be. 
2. Apply any available updates: Patchstack will let you know if pending updates address the issue. If there are, update as soon as possible. 
3. Activate Patchstack’s virtual patches: These block exploitation attempts while you wait for the official update. 
4. Disable or remove unsafe components: If no update is available and the vulnerability is critical, consider temporarily disabling or removing the affected plugin or theme to prevent it from being exploited. 

What are the most common WordPress vulnerabilities according to Patchstack? 

Most WordPress vulnerabilities originate in plugins. In fact, Patchstack’s latest statistics show that 93.65% were found in plugins, 5.29% in themes, and only 1.06% in the WordPress core. 

Here are the four most common vulnerability types: 

1. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Allows attackers to inject malicious code (usually JavaScript) into a web page, which then executes in other users’ browsers. It can be used to steal cookies, hijack sessions, or redirect to malicious sites. XSS accounts for 44% of the vulnerabilities listed in Patchstack’s database. 
2. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): This type of attack tricks a user’s browser into performing unintended actions on a website where they are authenticated, like changing their password or making a transaction. The user doesn’t realise it, as the request comes from their session. CSRF accounts for 15% of listed vulnerabilities. 
3. Broken Access Control: This occurs when a system fails to restrict access to certain functions or data properly. For example, a non-admin user may gain access to admin-only data or perform unauthorised changes. This type accounts for 10% of vulnerabilities. 
4. SQL Injection: This involves injecting malicious SQL code through forms or URLs that aren’t properly secured, allowing attackers to view, modify, or delete data, or even take complete control of the system. SQL injection represents 6.5% of reported vulnerabilities. 

A key tool for your WordPress site 

WordPress isn’t the only CMS out there, but it is by far the most popular thanks to its flexibility. The ability to create and install plugins and themes makes it suitable for just about any kind of website. However, it’s this strength and its large user base that also makes it a frequent target for cyberattacks.  

A vulnerability monitoring tool like Patchstack is essential for managing a WordPress website with peace of mind. Detecting flaws in your components early on allows you to take action before the issue escalates into a real threat. 

All one.com’s Managed WordPress Hosting plans include active Patchstack monitoring and advanced security features like daily backups, 2FA protection, SSL certificates, malware scanning, and automatic repairs. Our goal is to help you always keep your website safe and secure.