Medical Practices Using WordPress... Keeping Your Site Updated Is More Critical Than Ever

A new report, by Patchstack, has revealed the most targeted WordPress plugin vulnerabilities earlier in 2025, underscoring the urgent need for website administrators—especially those handling sensitive medical data—to ensure their sites are fully updated and secure.

WordPress still remains a popular choice for small and medium sized medical practices due to its flexibility and ease of use, but it also presents a prime target for cybercriminals. Four major security flaws in widely used plugins were exploited repeatedly in the first quarter of the year. These vulnerabilities—although patched in 2024—remain a risk for sites that have not yet applied the latest updates.

The Most Exploited WordPress Vulnerabilities in Q1 2025

Security firm Patchstack has identified the four most commonly attacked WordPress plugin flaws:

• CVE-2024-27956: A critical SQL injection flaw in the WordPress Automatic Plugin (40,000+ installs) allowed attackers to run arbitrary SQL commands, potentially exposing patient data. This flaw was first reported as exploited in May 2024. (Fixed in version 3.92.1)

• CVE-2024-4345: A file upload vulnerability in the Startklar Elementor Addons plugin (5,000+ installs) let hackers upload executable files, giving them full control over a site. Thousands of attack attempts were blocked, but unpatched sites remain vulnerable. (Fixed in version 1.7.14)

• CVE-2024-25600: A remote code execution flaw in the Bricks theme (30,000+ installs) allowed unauthorized PHP execution, giving attackers the ability to manipulate website content or gain deeper access to servers. Active exploitation was observed starting in February 2024. (Fixed in version 1.9.6.1)

• CVE-2024-8353: A vulnerability in the GiveWP plugin (100,000+ installs), commonly used for online donations, left sites open to PHP object injection attacks. If exploited, this flaw could lead to a full site takeover. (Fixed in version 3.16.2)

What This Means for Medical Practices

Medical websites are particularly attractive targets for hackers due to the wealth of sensitive patient data they store. A breach could expose protected health information (PHI), leading to HIPAA violations, legal consequences, and loss of patient trust.

Even if an attack doesn’t lead to a full compromise, attempted exploits can slow website performance, inject malicious scripts, or allow unauthorized access to administrative areas. Given the increasing cyber threats against healthcare providers, keeping WordPress installations, plugins, and themes updated is not optional—it’s essential.

Steps to Keep Your WordPress Website Secure

• Regularly update WordPress core, plugins, and themes. Hackers target outdated software, and delaying updates increases risk.

• Remove unnecessary plugins. Unused or poorly maintained plugins expand your attack surface.

• Implement strong authentication. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong passwords for administrator accounts.

• Monitor for suspicious activity. Regularly check logs and security reports for signs of unauthorized access.

• Secure user accounts. Delete dormant accounts and limit administrative access to essential personnel.

While security tools like Patchstack can help block some attacks, nothing replaces proactive maintenance and strong cybersecurity practices. For medical practices using WordPress, keeping your website updated is a fundamental step in protecting both your business and your patients’ data.