Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection
Slug: better-wp-security · Nexcess · 700,000+
Overall Score
Excellent quality and security
92
Excellent
What this score means
Scores are calculated on a 100-point scale by analysing six weighted categories: Security, WP.org Readiness, Performance, Code Quality, Accessibility, and Vulnerabilities. Open vulnerabilities are weighted by severity, CVSS, and patch availability, and incomplete source data can reduce confidence slightly.
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Excellent The plugin follows best practices across every measured category. It is well-maintained, low-risk, and recommended for production use.
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Good Strong overall quality with minor areas for improvement. Generally safe to use on most sites.
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Needs Review Some areas of concern detected. Review the full issues report and weigh the risks before installing on production.
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High Risk Significant quality or security problems found. Exercise caution — check the details carefully before using this plugin.
Score computed: May 22, 2026 10:24 pm (3 weeks ago). Vulnerability data mode: Live.
High confidence (100/100) based on metadata completeness and vulnerability evidence quality.
Open vulnerabilities are weighted by severity, CVSS, and patch availability, then adjusted slightly when the source data is incomplete.
High confidence (100/100) based on metadata completeness and vulnerability evidence quality.
Open vulnerabilities are weighted by severity, CVSS, and patch availability, then adjusted slightly when the source data is incomplete.
- Wordfence: June 10, 2026 4:46 am (11 minutes ago)
Score Breakdown
Security
84
Good
Why this score?
Top deductions are based on 1 affected rules, reducing this category by 16 total points.
| Rule | Hits | Impact | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security issue: Warning | 4 | -16 | 100% |
WP.org Readiness
87
Good
Why this score?
Top deductions are based on 3 affected rules, reducing this category by 13 total points.
| Rule | Hits | Impact | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repo issue: Error | 1 | -8 | 61.5% |
| Tested up to version is behind current WordPress | 1 | -3 | 23.1% |
| Repo issue: Notice | 2 | -2 | 15.4% |
Performance
100
Excellent
Why this score?
Top deductions are based on 0 affected rules, reducing this category by 0 total points.
No deductions were applied for this category in the latest score run.
Code Quality
92
Excellent
Why this score?
Top deductions are based on 1 affected rules, reducing this category by 8 total points.
| Rule | Hits | Impact | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code Quality issue: Error | 1 | -8 | 100% |
Accessibility
100
Excellent
Why this score?
Top deductions are based on 0 affected rules, reducing this category by 0 total points.
No deductions were applied for this category in the latest score run.
Vulnerability Status
100
Excellent
Why this score?
Top deductions are based on 0 affected rules, reducing this category by 0 total points.
No deductions were applied for this category in the latest score run.
Plugin Details
- Version: 10.0.1
- Active Installs: 700,000+
- Last Updated: 2026-05-12 16:48:00
- Tested up to: 6.9.4
- Requires PHP: 7.4
- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,983 ratings)
- Support: 5/19 resolved (26%)
- View on WordPress.org
- Download Plugin
Scan Summary
- Errors: 2
- Warnings: 4
- Notices: 2
- Last Scanned: 2026-05-22 21:24:06
- Score confidence: 100/100
Scans are performed automatically once per day, and the report will note when source data is stale or incomplete.
What Changed Since Last Scan
New: 0
Resolved: 0
Worsened: 0
New Issues
No items in this category.
Resolved Issues
No items in this category.
Worsened Issues
No items in this category.
Detected Issues
| Severity | Category | Message | File | Fix Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERROR | CODE_QUALITY | Support thread resolution rate is very low (26% resolved). |
Quick
Triage unresolved support threads and post status updates for affected users.
Moderate
Create weekly support triage workflows and assign ownership for unresolved topics.
Advanced
Set support SLAs, automate inbox routing, and measure resolution performance in dashboards.
|
|
| ERROR | REPO | Plugin package does not contain a main plugin file with a valid plugin header. |
Quick
Ensure the package root contains a plugin bootstrap file with standard WordPress plugin headers.
Moderate
Apply the same remediation pattern across repo findings and re-scan to confirm error issues drop.
Advanced
Add automated linting, CI checks, and team review guidance so this issue class is prevented in future releases.
|
|
| NOTICE | REPO | Plugin package does not include a license file. |
Quick
Add a LICENSE or COPYING file so distribution terms are explicit.
Moderate
Apply the same remediation pattern across repo findings and re-scan to confirm notice issues drop.
Advanced
Add automated linting, CI checks, and team review guidance so this issue class is prevented in future releases.
|
|
| WARNING | SECURITY | Raw superglobal access detected. | core/admin-pages/init.php |
Quick
Wrap direct request values with sanitization and nonce verification in the affected code path.
Moderate
Centralize request normalization in helper methods so handlers consume validated input only.
Advanced
Adopt typed request DTOs and automated security lint checks for unsanitized superglobal access.
|
| WARNING | SECURITY | Raw superglobal access detected. | core/admin-pages/logs-list-table.php |
Quick
Wrap direct request values with sanitization and nonce verification in the affected code path.
Moderate
Centralize request normalization in helper methods so handlers consume validated input only.
Advanced
Adopt typed request DTOs and automated security lint checks for unsanitized superglobal access.
|
| WARNING | SECURITY | Raw superglobal access detected. | core/admin-pages/page-logs.php |
Quick
Wrap direct request values with sanitization and nonce verification in the affected code path.
Moderate
Centralize request normalization in helper methods so handlers consume validated input only.
Advanced
Adopt typed request DTOs and automated security lint checks for unsanitized superglobal access.
|
| WARNING | SECURITY | Raw superglobal access detected. | core/admin-pages/page-vulnerabilities.php |
Quick
Wrap direct request values with sanitization and nonce verification in the affected code path.
Moderate
Centralize request normalization in helper methods so handlers consume validated input only.
Advanced
Adopt typed request DTOs and automated security lint checks for unsanitized superglobal access.
|
| NOTICE | REPO | Translation functions are present, but no textdomain loader was detected. |
Quick
Call load_plugin_textdomain() during plugin bootstrap so translations can be loaded.
Moderate
Apply the same remediation pattern across repo findings and re-scan to confirm notice issues drop.
Advanced
Add automated linting, CI checks, and team review guidance so this issue class is prevented in future releases.
|
Score History
Range Change: -1 pts · All-Time High: 93/100
All Past Vulnerabilities
Showing all known historical vulnerabilities for this plugin, including open and closed records.
| Vulnerability | CVE | Severity | Status | Affected Versions | Patched Version | Updated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iThemes Security < 3.6.4 - Stored Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 3.6.4) | 3.6.4 | 2014-08-01 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 8.1.4 - Open Redirection via redirect_to_https | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-8.1.4 | 8.1.5 | 2023-03-27 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 5.6.1 - Sensitive Information Exposure via Diff Response | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-5.6.1 | 5.6.2 | 2016-09-27 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| Better WP Security <= 3.5.3 - Stored Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-3.5.3 | 3.5.4 | 2014-08-01 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security < 7.9.1 and iThemes Security Pro < 6.8.4 - Hidden Login Bypass | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 7.9.1) | 7.9.1 | 2021-04-22 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 5.3.5 - Missing Capabilities Check | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 5.3.6) | 5.3.6 | 2016-04-25 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security < 5.3.1 - Insecure Backup/Logfile Generation | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 5.3.1) | 5.3.1 | 2016-04-21 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security < 3.2.5 - Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 3.2.5) | 3.2.5 | 2012-05-11 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 7.6.1 - Broken Password Mechanism | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-7.6.1 | 7.7.0 | 2021-01-06 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 7.0.2 - Authenticated SQL Injection | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 7.0.3) | 7.0.3 | 2018-06-25 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| Better WP Security <= 3.6.3 - Stored Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-3.6.3 | 3.6.4 | 2014-08-01 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| Solid Security <= 9.3.1 - IP Address Spoofing to Denial of Service | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-9.3.1 | 9.3.2 | 2024-06-20 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 5.6.1 - Stored Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 5.6.2) | 5.6.2 | 2016-10-06 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| Solid Security Basic <= 9.0.0 - Unauthenticated Login Page Disclosure | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-9.0.0 | 9.0.1 | 2023-10-31 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 6.9.0 - Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-6.9.0 | 6.9.1 | 2018-03-05 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security <= 4.6.12 - Stored Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 4.6.13) | 4.6.13 | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security < 3.4.4 - Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 3.4.4) | 3.4.4 | 2012-08-20 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| Better WP Security <= 3.2.4 - Multiple Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | *-3.2.4 | 3.2.5 | 2012-05-11 00:00:00 | Wordfence |
| iThemes Security < 5.3.5 - Authenticated Cross-Site Scripting | N/A | LOW | Closed | [*, 5.3.5) | 5.3.5 | 2016-04-05 00:00:00 | Wordfence |