WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) used to build and run websites. It provides the core publishing engine, while themes and plugins add design, forms, editors, and other features. Because it is so widely deployed, WordPress is a high-value target in cyber security.
Security problems in WordPress are often not in the core software itself, but in plugins and themes that run with broad access to site content, accounts, and server-side files. Attackers may exploit weak permissions, insecure file handling, or data exposure flaws to steal configuration details, sensitive content, or login material. In real defenses, administrators reduce risk by keeping WordPress, plugins, and themes updated, removing unused add-ons, limiting admin access, and monitoring for unusual file or content access. Good patch hygiene matters because a single vulnerable component can affect many sites at once.