WordPress.DB.RestrictedFunctions.mysql_mysqli_real_escape_string
mysql mysqli real escape string
The plugin uses a raw MySQL extension or class instead of WordPress database APIs.
Why It Shows Up
The scan found `mysql_*`, `mysqli_*`, PDO MySQL, or related database functions in plugin code.
Why It Matters
Bypassing `$wpdb` can ignore WordPress database configuration, escaping conventions, character sets, and compatibility layers.
How to Fix
- Replace raw MySQL calls with `$wpdb` methods or higher-level WordPress APIs.
- Use `$wpdb->prepare()` for dynamic values.
- If a third-party library requires a database connection, isolate it and document why WordPress APIs cannot be used.
References
Affected Plugins
| Rank | Plugin | Score | Errors | Warnings | Installs | Updated | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Backup Migration | 21 | 981 | 1,093 | 80k+ | Non Prefixed Variable Found | |
| #2 | Duplicator – Backups & Migration Plugin – Cloud Backups, Scheduled Backups, & More | 21 | 2,572 | 1,277 | 1m+ | Output Not Escaped | |
| #3 | wpDataTables – WordPress Data Table, Dynamic Tables & Table Charts Plugin | 21 | 1,354 | 1,140 | 70k+ | Output Not Escaped | |
| #4 | Smart Popup by Supsystic | 22 | 3,172 | 503 | 10k+ | Non Singular String Literal Domain | |
| #5 | Prime Mover – Migrate WordPress Website & Backups | 22 | 1,326 | 1,600 | 10k+ | Non Prefixed Variable Found | |
| #6 | WP STAGING – WordPress Backup, Restore & Migration | 23 | 1,414 | 1,327 | 100k+ | Non Prefixed Variable Found | |
| #7 | Participants Database | 24 | 951 | 894 | 7k+ | Not Prepared | |
| #8 | UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin | 24 | 277 | 299 | 3m+ | Non Prefixed Variable Found | |
| #9 | TranslatePress – Translate Multilingual sites with AI Translation | 25 | 452 | 1,541 | 400k+ | Non Prefixed Hookname Found | |
| #10 | WP Synchro – The Ultimate WordPress Migration Tool | 28 | 243 | 244 | 2k+ | Missing Translators Comment | |
| #11 | User Spam Remover | 31 | 115 | 14 | 1k+ | Output Not Escaped | |
| #12 | Podlove Subscribe button | 38 | 148 | 45 | 2k+ | Output Not Escaped |
