3 SQL Queries to Find Hidden WordPress Backdoors (When Plugins Fail)

📰 Dev.to · MD Pabel

Learn 3 SQL queries to detect hidden WordPress backdoors that security plugins might miss

intermediate Published 9 Feb 2026
Action Steps
  1. Run a SQL query to scan for suspicious user accounts using SELECT * FROM wp_users WHERE user_login NOT IN (SELECT user_login FROM wp_usermeta WHERE meta_key = 'wp_capabilities');
  2. Use a SQL query to identify potentially malicious code in posts and pages with SELECT * FROM wp_posts WHERE post_content LIKE '%<?php%';
  3. Execute a SQL query to detect hidden backdoors in the WordPress options table using SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_value LIKE '%<?php%' OR option_value LIKE '%base64_decode%';
Who Needs to Know This

WordPress developers and security specialists can benefit from these queries to enhance website security

Key Insight

💡 Security plugins can miss hidden backdoors, but targeted SQL queries can help detect them

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🚨 Don't rely on security plugins alone! Use these 3 SQL queries to uncover hidden #WordPress backdoors 💻

Full Article

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