Updating WordPress can open one last attack window

The patch that arrives late (and leaves the door open)

There is an uncomfortable paradox in vulnerability management that is worth keeping very much in mind: installing a security update does not always equal being protected instantly. According to Picus Security researcher Umut Bayram, who has identified a WordPress flaw that is being actively exploited, some installations can continue to be attacked right while they apply the patch. The reason is as technical as it is relevant: the updater decompresses its files using the site's old code, the code that has not yet been fixed. An attacker who strikes at the precise moment can execute code on the server.

The researcher's recommendation, as reported by The Hacker News, is to block web access to certain resources during the update. In other words, temporarily close the door while the lock is being changed.

Why this matters more than it seems

WordPress powers a huge part of the web fabric of Spanish SMBs. It is not unusual to find corporate sites, small online stores, booking portals or content blogs built on this platform, often managed by an external provider or by someone on the team who "handles a bit of everything." In that context, the exposure window during the update is a real risk, not a theoretical one: if the flaw is already being exploited in the wild, there are bots continuously scanning and any interval of minutes counts.

The underlying lesson goes beyond WordPress. It reminds us that the patch lifecycle has phases —detection, planning, application and verification— and that the application phase can have side effects. We have already seen this with cases such as Zyxel GS1900, where the previous patch did not close the real flaw, and we encounter the same idea again: it is not enough to "update"; you have to understand what happens during the update.

What it means for an SMB with its own website

If your website runs on WordPress and there is an exploited flaw with an available patch, the priority is to update. But it is advisable to do so methodically. Some practical implications:

• Updating during peak hours is not the same as updating in a controlled window. If you can choose, do it when traffic is low and with someone monitoring the result.
• Temporarily blocking web access during the update is a sensible measure when the vendor or researcher recommends it, especially if the flaw is being exploited.
• Post-update verification is mandatory. Do not assume the patch was applied correctly just because the panel says "updated."
• Prior backups are not a formality. They are the safety net if something goes wrong during the process.

A realistic action plan for small teams

Many SMBs do not have a dedicated security team, but rather an IT manager with a thousand open fronts. For those cases, we propose a simple order of action:

1. Inventory first. Know what WordPress you have, what plugins and themes you use and who maintains them. Without an inventory there is no possible management.
2. Prioritize by active exploitation. Not all updates are equally urgent. Those that fix already exploited flaws come first, even if that means reorganizing the day's schedule.
3. Apply with a window and with monitoring. Update at a controlled time, block access if the case requires it and review logs right afterwards.
4. Reduce the exposure surface. Fewer plugins, fewer themes, fewer accounts with administrator permissions. Each extra element is one more door to watch.
5. Document what you do. If there is an incident tomorrow, you will need to know what was updated, when and with what result.

This type of situation fits the trend we have been observing in the sector: investment in cybersecurity is no longer only about buying tools, but about processes and judgment to prioritize risks. An SMB that knows what it has, what is urgent and how to apply changes without opening new cracks is better protected than another with a larger budget but less method.

Our recommendation from ForgeNEX

Do not fall into the defeatism of "since there are always flaws, it doesn't matter whether you update." On the contrary: precisely because there are exploited flaws, updating remains the most cost-effective measure. What changes is how we execute it. Treat each critical update as a small operation: with a window, with a backup, with verification and with someone responsible for closing the loop. If you do not have that muscle in-house, it is a good time to raise it with your IT provider or to formalize a minimum procedure.

A well-applied patch protects; a patch applied blindly can leave the door ajar right when it is most needed to close it.

And one last idea: the risk window during the update is not exclusive to WordPress. Other content management systems, administration panels and even network devices can behave in a similar way. It is worth reviewing how your business's critical tools are updated and whether that process is documented or depends on someone's memory.

Source: The Hacker News. Analysis and adaptation: ForgeNEX.