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.

critical weight

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.

Affected Plugins

RankPluginScoreErrorsWarningsInstallsAddedUpdatedTop Issue
#1Backup Migration219811,09380k+Non-prefixed global variable
#2Duplicator – Backups & Migration Plugin – Cloud Backups, Scheduled Backups, & More212,5721,2771m+Output is not escaped
#3wpDataTables – WordPress Data Table, Dynamic Tables & Table Charts Plugin211,8121,43270k+Output is not escaped
#4Smart Popup by Supsystic223,12049210k+Non Singular String Literal Domain
#5WP STAGING – WordPress Backups, Restore, Migration & Clone231,5251,610100k+Non-prefixed global variable
#61 Click Migration & Backup: Free WordPress Migration Plugin with Zero Downtime & Easy Clone24140193400Direct Query
#7WEB-Translation – eTranslation Multilingual252171,057400Non-prefixed function
#8TranslatePress – Translate Multilingual sites with AI Translation255831,673400k+Non-prefixed hook name
#9EZ SQL Reports Shortcode Widget and DB Backup27165158500Output is not escaped
#10WP Synchro – The Ultimate WordPress Migration Tool282432442k+Missing Translators Comment
#11User Spam Remover31115141k+Output is not escaped
#12Podlove Subscribe button38148452k+Output is not escaped
#13Comment Reply Email422123500Unsafe printing function