A recent security vulnerability in the widely used WordPress plugin "SureTriggers" directly and immediately endangers the integrity of over 100.000 corporate websites. Without authentication, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain administrative privileges and completely compromise affected systems. This incident demonstrates once again that the true vulnerability in digital infrastructures is often invisible – embedded in any external software components. For C-level executives, the question is no longer whether they could be affected. The question is whether they are prepared for such attack surfaces. Today's economy is digital – and therefore vulnerable.
ProSec specializes in identifying precisely such critical vulnerabilities before they are exploited. This current case is a prime example of why structured IT security strategies, vulnerability management, and continuous monitoring are vital for companies' survival – regardless of whether the company has core IT expertise or not.
We shed light on the background, highlight the entrepreneurial risks and provide concrete recommendations for action – for decision-makers with responsibility.
According to security researchers at Wordfence, the plugin "SureTriggers – All-in-One Automation Platform" allows the creation of administrative user accounts in WordPress via an unauthenticated vulnerability – without prior login or authorization verification. A missing validation of the so-called "secret_key" in the "authenticate_user" function allows this across all versions up to and including version 1.0.78.
In plain English: Anyone who knows how the vulnerability works technically can gain access to entire systems over the internet in seconds. The vulnerability has been classified as CVE-2025-3102 – with a CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) score of 8,1. This corresponds to a high risk.
The plug-in developers responded by releasing version 1.0.79, which they claim fixes the vulnerability. However, a large portion of instances remain vulnerable – because companies delay updates, lack automatic patching processes, or simply lack awareness of the threat.
Vulnerabilities like these are often viewed as technical problems. But their relevance unfolds at a strategic level: Once attackers gain administrative privileges, they can:
💥 Manipulate content (disinformation, fake news on your site),
💥 Extract data (customer data, internal information),
💥 Use your website as a platform for malware (blacklisting on Google, loss of reputation),
💥 Gain access to other company systems (pivoting to the internal infrastructure),
💥 Engage in blackmail or industrial espionage (compromise of business processes).
Management, not the IT department alone, bears responsibility for such systemic risks. A successful attack can threaten a company's existence – both economically and reputationally. Due to regulatory requirements such as GDPR, NIS2, or the Supply Chain Act, cybersecurity also poses a legal challenge.
WordPress isn't just a system for private bloggers—over 40 percent of all websites worldwide are based on it today, including numerous corporate websites, portals, intranets, and even online shops. Its widespread use also makes WordPress an attractive target for targeted attacks.
The multitude of plug-ins—often developed by third parties—expands functionality, but is a security hazard. Plug-ins are often:
❌ not checked regularly,
❌ rarely tested,
❌ inadequately documented,
❌ delayed updates,
❌ incorrectly configured.
The result: Every plug-in increases the digital attack surface. A vulnerability in a single module—as is currently the case with SureTriggers—can compromise the entire IT architecture if attacking third parties gain access to the admin level via web access.
If a simple vulnerability without authentication is enough to cause compromise, then a company is at fundamental risk. However, the difference between an incident and a worst-case scenario (WCA) lies not in the technology, but in the presence of effective security processes.
It is not enough to rely on safety trust. She must detectable be implemented.
CISOs and CIOs are often caught between budget pressures, resource constraints, and the pressure to transform. However, security monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and incident response plans are not luxuries. They are a fundamental prerequisite for digitally stable business processes.
Executives must recognize the consequences: If administrative third-party access to your web infrastructure is possible, this not only poses a PR crisis and lost customer relationships, but also poses existential threats. They are responsible for damage control, compliance violations, IT budget control, and risk prevention.
The most important strategic approaches are:
✅ Awareness: Understand that every publicly accessible platform is part of your IT attack surface. This includes marketing websites.
✅Create governance: Identify clear responsibilities for the update and monitoring process – beyond the ad-hoc responsibility of your agency or external developers.
✅ Establish vulnerability management: Rely on proactive scanning of plug-ins and CMS components, as well as penetration testing. Not every risk can be identified in the dashboard.
✅ Plan incident response: Who will respond and how in the event of an emergency? Which external experts are prepared, and what emergency communications are coordinated?
✅ Have your security architecture professionally reviewed: You cannot delegate responsibility, but you can secure yourself externally through certified IT security consultants such as ProSec
100.000 compromised instances don't mean that 100.000 companies will fall victim—but they do mean that this attack vector can be integrated into automation scripts, botnets, and attack tools. Attackers' tools are becoming smarter, more connected, and more cost-effective. The creation of barrier-free malicious code entry points is no longer just high-end cybercrime—it's now part of organized digital white-collar crime.
What was once used by political intelligence services is now used by payment fraudsters and competitors from the Far East.
The question “How likely is an attack?” has long been replaced by “How quickly can I become a target if I am vulnerable?”
At ProSec, we take a holistic approach to cybersecurity and prevention. Our focus is on a clear mission: We identify, analyze, and eliminate digital vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. For companies of all sizes and industries, we deliver:
Together, we define preventative security strategies tailored to your goals. Our solutions are not technocratic—they are economically viable, legally compliant, and can be integrated directly into your corporate structures.
Because: Anyone who does not invest in cybersecurity today, pays the price tomorrow – with sales, trust and entrepreneurial future.
