How to Fix Vulnerable and Outdated WordPress Plugins
By Marcus Reeve — Lead Security Analyst at EzyAudit AI
If there is one thing that gets WordPress sites hacked more than anything else, it is vulnerable and outdated plugins. Around 96% of WordPress vulnerabilities live in plugins and themes, and attackers run bots that specifically hunt for sites still using a version with a known flaw. The good news: fixing them is usually straightforward once you know the steps.
What makes a plugin “vulnerable”?
A plugin is vulnerable when a security flaw has been publicly disclosed for the version you are running. Once that happens, the details are catalogued in public databases — and bots start scanning for anyone who has not updated. A plugin becomes risky in three main ways: it is simply out of date, it has a known vulnerability with no fix applied, or it has been abandoned by its developer and no longer receives security updates at all.
Not sure which plugins are putting you at risk?
EzyAudit AI checks every plugin against 42,000+ known vulnerabilities and tells you which ones to fix first.
How to fix vulnerable and outdated WordPress plugins
Work through these steps in order. Back up your site first — always.
1. Update everything
The majority of plugin vulnerabilities are fixed in a newer version, so updating is your first and biggest win. In your dashboard go to Dashboard → Updates, or Plugins, and update every plugin, theme and WordPress core itself. If you manage several sites, update them all — a single neglected plugin is all an attacker needs.
2. Delete plugins you do not use
Every installed plugin is a potential entry point, even when deactivated, because its files still sit on your server. Deactivate anything you are not actively using, then delete it. Fewer plugins means a smaller attack surface and less to keep patched.
3. Replace abandoned plugins
If a plugin has not been updated in over a year, or has been removed from the WordPress plugin directory, treat it as a liability — it will not be patched when the next vulnerability is found. Find a maintained alternative that does the same job, migrate to it, and remove the old one.
4. If there is no update yet, mitigate
Occasionally a vulnerability is disclosed before a patch exists. In that case: deactivate the plugin if you can live without it, restrict access to the affected feature, or put a web application firewall in front of the site to block known exploit attempts until a fix ships. Then update the moment the patch is released.
5. Verify the fix
After updating or removing plugins, re-scan to confirm nothing vulnerable remains. This is where a scanner that cross-references a live vulnerability database earns its keep — it will tell you immediately whether you are in the clear.
How to stop plugins becoming a security problem
- Enable auto-updates for plugins you trust, so patches apply themselves.
- Install fewer plugins, and only from reputable developers with a recent update history.
- Audit quarterly — remove anything you have stopped using.
- Monitor continuously, because a plugin that is safe today can have a vulnerability disclosed tomorrow. This is exactly what EzyAudit AI continuous monitoring is for: it re-scans on a schedule and alerts you the moment one of your plugins becomes a risk.
Find your vulnerable plugins in about a minute
Scan free to see which plugins are at risk, then subscribe to EzyAudit AI so you are alerted the instant a new vulnerability lands.
One more thing: plugins are not the only software under your site. In October 2026 the PHP engine itself received a critical fix (PHP2Shell). If you have not checked your PHP build yet, read our PHP2Shell check-and-fix guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a WordPress plugin is vulnerable?
The reliable way is to scan your site with a tool that cross-references your plugin versions against a vulnerability database. EzyAudit AI checks every plugin and theme against 42,000+ known vulnerabilities and flags any that need attention, with the severity and the fix.
What should I do if a vulnerable plugin has no update available?
Mitigate until a patch ships: deactivate the plugin if you can, restrict access to the affected feature, or place a web application firewall in front of your site to block exploit attempts. If the plugin has been abandoned, replace it with a maintained alternative.
Are outdated plugins really that dangerous?
Yes. Around 96% of WordPress vulnerabilities are in plugins and themes, and automated bots specifically target sites running versions with known, published flaws. An outdated plugin is one of the most common ways WordPress sites get hacked.
How can I stop plugins becoming a security risk?
Install fewer plugins from reputable developers, enable auto-updates for ones you trust, remove anything you no longer use, and monitor continuously. EzyAudit AI re-scans your site automatically and alerts you the moment a plugin becomes vulnerable.
Keep going: see the best WordPress security scanner in 2026, how to fix missing security headers, and our essential website security checklist.