WordPress.DB.RestrictedFunctions.mysql_mysqli_set_charset

mysql mysqli set charset

The plugin uses a raw MySQL extension or class instead of WordPress database APIs.

medium 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
#1Matomo Analytics – Powerful, Privacy-First Insights for WordPress191,911877100k+Exception output is not escaped
#2Duplicator – Backups & Migration Plugin – Cloud Backups, Scheduled Backups, & More212,5721,2771m+Output is not escaped
#3File Manager227405201m+Unsafe printing function
#41 Click Migration & Backup: Free WordPress Migration Plugin with Zero Downtime & Easy Clone24140193400Direct Query
#5Softaculous241155010k+file system operations fread
#6WEB-Translation – eTranslation Multilingual252171,057400Non-prefixed function
#7TranslatePress – Translate Multilingual sites with AI Translation254551,545400k+Non-prefixed function