Archive by Author

Analysis of a Malicious WordPress Plugin: The Covert Redirector

A few weeks ago, we received a support request from a website owner who was experiencing unexpected redirects. Visitors landed on the website normally, but after about 4–5 seconds, the site redirected them to unrelated and suspicious websites. During the investigation, we discovered a malicious plugin that was responsible for this behavior, continuing the trend […]

Understanding SSRF: Abusing Server Trust from the Inside Out

In our daily interactions online, trust is a fundamental currency. We trust servers to handle our data, process our requests, and reliably deliver content. But what happens when that trust is abused and turned against the server itself? What if an attacker could trick your server into becoming an unwitting accomplice, abusing its privileged position […]

Vulnerability & Patch Roundup — May 2025

Vulnerability reports and responsible disclosures are essential for website security awareness and education. Automated attacks targeting known software vulnerabilities are one of the leading causes of website compromises. To help educate website owners about potential threats to their environments, we’ve compiled a list of important security updates and vulnerability patches for the WordPress ecosystem this […]

What Motivates Website Malware Attacks?

The depiction in the media of hackers tends to be that of balaclava-wearing villains who type furiously in a dark basement, motivated by nothing but evil intentions. However, while this may be true in some instances, by and large the determining factors that result in malware attacks are largely motivated not by ideology or malice […]

Fake Java Update Popup Found in Malicious WordPress Plugin

We recently assisted a customer who reported a persistent and concerning “Java Update” pop-up appearing on their WordPress website. This type of deceptive notification is a common tactic used by attackers to compromise website visitors. Our investigation revealed a malicious plugin operating stealthily within their WordPress environment. What Did We Find? A plugin installed in […]

Fake Google Meet Page Tricks Users into Running PowerShell Malware

Last month, a customer reached out to us after noticing suspicious URLs on their WordPress site. Visitors reported being prompted to perform unusual actions. We began our investigation, scanning the site for common malware indicators and looking for signs of obfuscated JavaScript or injected iframes. What we found, however, was more subtle and potentially more […]

Another Fake Cloudflare Verification Targets WordPress Sites

A new Cloudflare infection has once again been targeting WordPress sites. This new iteration of malware mimics a legitimate-looking Cloudflare verification page, which then tricks victims into following various commands and downloading malware. This style of malware is not new – our researcher Ben Martin wrote about a similar campaign targeting WordPress sites back in […]

90 Days to Shine: Why Sucuri’s SSL Certificates Are Living the Short Life (and Why That’s Awesome)

Picture this: your SSL certificate is like a carton of milk in your fridge. Sure, it’s good for a while, but let it sit too long, and you’re inviting a sour situation. At Sucuri, we’ve decided our certificates deserve a fresher approach—90 days fresh, to be exact. That’s right, we’re now renewing our SSL certificates […]