Checked on November 7, 2024

Grade:

Issues the Plugin's Developer Should Address:

• The plugin handles a file upload using a function that doesn't include security checks, which could allow for malicious files to be uploaded.


• The plugin doesn't contain a security.txt file (or alternatively a SECURITY.md or SECURITY-INSIGHTS.yml), which would provide information on how to report security issues to the developer.


• The plugin isn't listing in a security.txt file where the results of a security review that has been done of the plugin can be found. A well done security review would provide a good measure of the security of the plugin at the time it was done.


• The plugin isn't listing in a security.txt file where a software bill of materials (SBOM), which provides information on what third-party software is included in the plugin, can be found. That limits the ability to access the security of that third-party software.


• The plugin blocked less than half of the exploit attempts from the Plugin Vulnerabilities Firewall regression testing suite the last time the plugin was tested, so it missing a lot of the protection it could, and another plugin is, offering.


• The plugin is being marketed with a strong claim (or claims) of efficacy without citing evidence that backs up the claim.


• The plugin isn't providing a warning that its information on vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins is unreliable because it comes from a source known not to properly vet the information. That lack of vetting can lead to situations where a "fixed" vulnerabilty is subsequently widely exploited because there wasn't really a fix.


• The plugin is spreading misleading information about brute force attacks against WordPress websites, which are not actually happening, and causing the WordPress community to not focus on real security threats.

Resolving those issues would bring the plugin's grade up to an A+. You can notify the developer of the issues here. If the developer is interested in resolving those issues, we would be happy to help them to get started doing that.

You can also can consider using a similar plugin that is already more secure or one where the developer is interested in making their plugin more secure.

Additional Security Information

• Price for security review of version 5.81 of the plugin by Plugin Vulnerabilities: $200 USD
  (Paying customers of the Plugin Vulnerabilities service select plugins to receive free reviews.)

Plugin Information

• Slug: malcare-security
• Version: 5.81
• WordPress Plugin Directory listing

Previous Grades

• September 21, 2024:    F
• August 1, 2024:    D
• July 15, 2024:    C

Highest Graded WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Data Plugins

1. Patchstack     D+
2. WPScan     D+
3. WPVulnerability     D+
4. Jetpack Protect     D
5. NinjaFirewall (WP Edition)     D
6. Really Simple Security     D
7. Solid Security     F
8. Jetpack     F
9. Security Ninja     F
10. Wordfence Security     F

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Highest Graded Brute Force Protection Plugins

Imporant Note: Brute force attacks are not happening, so you don't need a plugin that provides this type of protection.

1. Limit Login Attempts Reloaded     C+
2. Mythic Cerberus     C+
3. Headers Security Advanced & HSTS WP     C
4. Limit Login Attempts     C
5. Titan Anti-spam & Security     D+
6. Login Lockdown     D+
7. WP Hide & Security Enhancer     D+
8. Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall     D
9. WP Ghost (Hide My WP Ghost)     D
10. Jetpack Protect     D

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Grades for Other Malware Scanner Plugins

1. Malcure Malware Scanner     B
2. miniOrange Malware Protection     C
3. Titan Anti-spam & Security     D+
4. Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall     D
5. BulletProof Security     F
6. Defender Security     F
7. Wordfence Security     F

Highest Graded All-In-One Security Plugins

1. Titan Anti-spam & Security     D+
2. WP Ghost (Hide My WP Ghost)     D
3. Jetpack Protect     D
4. Really Simple Security     D
5. All-In-One Security (AIOS)     F
6. Solid Security     F
7. BulletProof Security     F
8. Defender Security     F
9. Jetpack     F
10. SecuPress Free     F

View More All-In-One Security Plugin Grades

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About the Scorecard

The Plugin Security Scorecard grades plugins' handling of security based on data coming from the Plugin Vulnerabilities service, checking over the contents of the plugin, the WordPress.org API, and data generated specifically for the tool. It provides a useful, but incomplete, understanding of the security posture of the plugin and its developer. All the issues identified are ones that the developer of the plugin has the ability to address to get the grade of the plugin up to an A+.

Grades are calculated based on issues with any of the following:

• Plugins known to be vulnerable
• Plugin developers with track records of improperly handling security problems
• Security issues in the plugin that can be detected in an automated fashion
• Issues with the developer's developerment processes that suggest that their could be problems with security
• Plugins making unsupported, misleading, and false claims about their handling of security and the handling of security with WordPress

We are working to expand and refine the tools' ability to provide a good measure of plugins' security status. If you are aware of an additional security concern with this plugin that isn't represented here, please contact us. Other feedback on the tool is also welcome.

If you want a comprehensive understanding of the security of the plugin, a well-done security review is really needed to provide that.