What is a Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in WordPress?

Updates and well-maintained plugins. Are they enough for rock-solid security? 

What if we told you that even the most secure-looking sites can fall prey to hidden vulnerabilities? Many websites have faced devastating attacks because an unknown flaw lets hackers run their code right on your site.

This nightmare has a name—remote code execution (RCE). Attacks exploiting RCE vulnerabilities leave your site at risk, even if you think you’ve locked all its doors and windows. RCE vulnerabilities are a real threat and nastier than a bad horror flick.

But you can prevent these attacks. We will help you understand what RCE vulnerabilities are and how to spot them. We will show you how to safeguard your site. We promise that with some security tools under your belt, it will not be complicated. 

TL;DR: Remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities can allow attackers to gain full control of your WordPress site and cause significant damage. Preventing RCE attacks involves security software, regular updates, and continuous monitoring. Protect your site with MalCare for robust protection and peace of mind.

What is a remote code execution vulnerability in WordPress?

A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability is a severe security flaw that can wreak havoc on a WordPress site. It allows attackers to insert malware into your website, and then execute it.

This can give the hacker control over your site. They might steal data, infect your site with malware, or even take it down entirely. That is an RCE vulnerability in a nutshell.

RCE vulnerabilities stem from insecure coding practices, outdated plugins, or unpatched themes. Most WordPress users focus on creating content and managing their sites. They typically don’t have the technical know-how to detect or fix these issues. Unfortunately, this unawareness makes their sites prime targets for hackers.

At MalCare, we have seen numerous attacks trying to exploit RCE vulnerabilities in popular plugins and themes like Elementor, Forminator, etc. However, MalCare users were unaffected by these attacks thanks to its Atomic Security firewall that intelligently blocks such attacks. Atomic Security can identify and protect vulnerabilities from being exploited, even before the plugin developers have released patches to fix them.

How to identify if your WordPress site is facing remote code execution attacks?

Remote code execution (RCE) attacks can be sneaky, but there are telltale signs that your WordPress site might be compromised. Here’s how you can check if your site is under attack:

Keep an eye on your site’s activity log. Most security plugins like MalCare offer logging features that track changes and actions across your site. Look for unusual activities, such as multiple failed login attempts, changes to core files, or unexpected plugin installations.

What to do if your WordPress site is facing remote code execution attacks?

If you suspect your WordPress site is under a remote code execution (RCE) attack, you need to act fast to contain and mitigate the damage. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you reclaim control of your site:

1. Scan your site with MalCare

Start by using a trusted security plugin like MalCare to run a comprehensive scan. This will help you identify and locate any malicious code or files injected into your site. MalCare offers in-depth scanning capabilities, making it easier to find hidden threats.

2. Add a firewall

Implement a firewall to block ongoing attacks. Firewalls can filter out malicious traffic and prevent hackers from continuing their assaults. While many security plugins include a built-in firewall feature, we recommend MalCare’s Atomic Security for all your firewall needs. It is an intelligent WordPress-specific firewall that learns from attacks to smartly block all future attacks, even the ones exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities. You can also opt for a dedicated web application firewall like Cloudflare.

3. Change all passwords

Change the passwords for your WordPress admin, FTP, database, and any other accounts linked to your site. Inform your users to update their passwords as well. Use strong, unique passwords to enhance security and minimize the risk of further breaches.

4. Reset site security keys and salts

WordPress security keys and salts add an extra layer of protection to your authentication processes. Resetting them ensures that any existing sessions become invalid, forcing all users to log in again. MalCare already provides this functionality as part of its post-hack cleanup process.

5. Update WordPress core, plugins, and themes

Keeping your WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated is crucial. Updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities. Make sure everything is up to date to close any security gaps that attackers might exploit. MalCare users can do this safely from their dashboards, thanks to its UpdateLens feature, pre-update backups, and the ability to test updates on staging sites before going live with them.

6. Audit users, roles, and permissions

Conduct a thorough audit of your site’s users. Check their roles and permissions, and remove any accounts that seem suspicious. It’s essential to ensure that only trusted individuals have administrative access to your site.

7. Limit file permissions

Restrict file permissions to minimize the damage that hackers can do if they gain access. Set the proper file permissions for your wp-config.php file, plugins, themes, and uploads folder. This can prevent unauthorized changes and additions to your site’s files.

How to protect your WordPress site from remote code execution attacks?

Preventing remote code execution (RCE) attacks requires a proactive approach to securing your WordPress site. Here are some key steps to fortify your defenses:

We know this list of security measures you need to take seems huge. But a security plugin like MalCare will take care of most of it. MalCare features robust malware scanning and one-click removal capabilities, strong vulnerability detection, and an intelligent firewall in Atomic Security. Additionally, its bot protection and secure backup features make MalCare the best security plugin you can have for your WordPress site.

How does a remote code execution attack affect your WordPress site?

A remote code execution (RCE) attack can have devastating effects on your WordPress site. Here’s a breakdown of how such an attack could impact you:

What are the types of remote code execution attacks?

Remote code execution (RCE) attacks come in various forms, each exploiting different vulnerabilities within your WordPress site. Here’s a look at some common types of RCE attacks:

1. Injection attack: This involves injecting malicious SQL queries or files into your site. These attacks exploit security flaws within your site’s code, usually through user inputs that are not properly sanitized. An example is SQL injection, where attackers can manipulate SQL queries to extract, modify, or delete data from your database.
   
   Consider a login form where the username and password fields are directly used in a database query. If an attacker enters SQL code instead of a username, they could potentially gain access to confidential data or the entire database.
2. Deserialization attack: In a deserialization attack, the attacker exploits the process of converting data into a format that can be easily stored or transmitted, and later, reconverting it back (deserialization). If an application trusts this serialized data without validation, an attacker can modify it to include malicious code, which gets executed when deserialized.
   
   Suppose your site receives serialized objects through an API call and directly deserializes them without checking for malicious payloads. In that case, attackers can insert harmful data, causing harmful actions or gaining unauthorized access.
3. Out-of-Bounds Write attack: This type of attack takes advantage of memory allocation flaws in a plugin or theme code. Such vulnerabilities occur when a program allocates a specific amount of memory but fails to restrict the amount of data written to it. Hackers can force the software to write malicious code in memory areas beyond what was allocated, leading to data corruption or unauthorized code execution.
   
   Suppose a plugin allows users to upload files but doesn’t limit the file size properly. Hackers can exploit this weakness to make the software write extra data, including malicious code, into unintended memory spaces, causing the application to behave unpredictably or execute unauthorized commands.

Final thoughts

Remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities pose one of the most severe threats to WordPress sites. They allow hackers to execute malicious code and potentially take over the entire site.

Awareness and proactive measures are your best allies in maintaining a secure and trustworthy site. By recognizing warning signs, and implementing robust security practices, you can significantly mitigate the risk of an RCE attack. From regular updates to continuous monitoring and security audits, each step you take strengthens your WordPress site’s defense.

To further enhance your site’s security, consider using MalCare. MalCare is a robust, all-in-one WordPress security plugin that features powerful malware scanning, instant malware removal, and real-time firewall protection, all without slowing down your site. With its automated daily scans, MalCare helps you detect vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, ensuring your site remains secure around the clock.

FAQs

What is remote execution vulnerability?

A remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability is a severe security flaw that allows attackers to run arbitrary code on your WordPress site. This can lead to a range of problems, including data theft, site defacement, or even complete site takeover. These vulnerabilities often arise from insecure coding practices, outdated plugins, or unpatched themes.

What are the types of RCE vulnerability?

The common types of RCE attacks include:

• Injection attack: Injecting malicious SQL queries or files into your site.
• Deserialization attack: Intercepting and altering serialized data to include malicious code.
• Out-of-Bounds Write attack: Exploiting memory allocation flaws to execute unauthorized code.

How can we protect against remote code execution?

Here are some key steps to prevent RCE attacks:

• Use a security plugin like MalCare.
• Add a firewall to your site.
• Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated.
• Use reputed and regularly maintained plugins and themes.
• Remove unnecessary or outdated plugins and themes.
• Use strong passwords and advise your users to do the same.
• Implement login security measures like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
• Add an activity log to track changes and actions on your site.
• Regularly audit user accounts.
• Regularly backup your site.