Debug Bar Post Meta Security & Risk Analysis

wordpress.org/plugins/tdd-debug-bar-post-meta

Very simple extention to the debug bar to get a list of post meta for the current post

10 active installs v0.1 PHP + WP 3.4.2+ Updated Sep 19, 2012
custom-fieldsdebug-barmetapost-meta
85
A · Safe
CVEs total0
Unpatched0
Last CVENever
Safety Verdict

Is Debug Bar Post Meta Safe to Use in 2026?

Generally Safe

Score 85/100

Debug Bar Post Meta has no known CVEs and is actively maintained. It's a solid choice for most WordPress installations.

No known CVEs Updated 13yr ago
Risk Assessment

The "tdd-debug-bar-post-meta" v0.1 plugin exhibits a seemingly strong security posture based on the provided static analysis. There are no identified entry points like AJAX handlers, REST API routes, or shortcodes that could be directly exploited. Furthermore, the code signals indicate a complete absence of dangerous functions and file operations, and all SQL queries are properly prepared. This suggests a cautious approach to handling sensitive operations. The lack of any known historical vulnerabilities also contributes to a positive assessment, implying consistent security practices throughout its development.

However, a significant concern arises from the output escaping results. With 5 total outputs and 0% properly escaped, there is a high risk of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. Any data displayed by the plugin that is not properly sanitized before rendering in the browser is susceptible to manipulation by attackers. The absence of nonce and capability checks across all identified (though zero) entry points, while not directly exploitable due to the lack of entry points, signifies a missed opportunity to implement foundational WordPress security measures that would be critical if the plugin were to be extended or modified in the future. The lack of any taint flows analyzed is also a weakness, as it suggests a potential gap in the analysis process itself.

In conclusion, while the plugin has avoided common pitfalls like direct SQL injection or exposed AJAX actions, the critical failure in output escaping presents a substantial XSS risk. The absence of any vulnerability history is reassuring, but the current analysis highlights the immediate need to address output sanitization to mitigate potential security breaches.

Key Concerns

  • Outputs not properly escaped (potential XSS)
  • No taint analysis performed
  • Missing nonce checks on potential entry points
  • Missing capability checks on potential entry points
Vulnerabilities
None known

Debug Bar Post Meta Security Vulnerabilities

No known vulnerabilities — this is a good sign.
Code Analysis
Analyzed Mar 17, 2026

Debug Bar Post Meta Code Analysis

Dangerous Functions
0
Raw SQL Queries
0
0 prepared
Unescaped Output
5
0 escaped
Nonce Checks
0
Capability Checks
0
File Operations
0
External Requests
0
Bundled Libraries
0

Output Escaping

0% escaped5 total outputs
Attack Surface

Debug Bar Post Meta Attack Surface

Entry Points0
Unprotected0
WordPress Hooks 3
actionwp_print_stylesclass-debug-bar-post-meta.php:6
actionadmin_print_stylesclass-debug-bar-post-meta.php:7
filterdebug_bar_panelsdebug-bar-post-meta.php:26
Maintenance & Trust

Debug Bar Post Meta Maintenance & Trust

Maintenance Signals

WordPress version tested3.4.2
Last updatedSep 19, 2012
PHP min version
Downloads6K

Community Trust

Rating100/100
Number of ratings2
Active installs10
Developer Profile

Debug Bar Post Meta Developer Profile

Taylor Dewey

3 plugins · 70 total installs

84
trust score
Avg Security Score
85/100
Avg Patch Time
30 days
View full developer profile
Detection Fingerprints

How We Detect Debug Bar Post Meta

Patterns used to identify this plugin on WordPress sites during automated security audits and web crawling.

Asset Fingerprints

Asset Paths
/wp-content/plugins/tdd-debug-bar-post-meta/css/debug-bar-post-meta.css/wp-content/plugins/tdd-debug-bar-post-meta/css/debug-bar-post-meta.min.css
Version Parameters
tdd-debug-bar-post-meta/css/debug-bar-post-meta.css?ver=tdd-debug-bar-post-meta/css/debug-bar-post-meta.min.css?ver=

HTML / DOM Fingerprints

CSS Classes
debug-bar-post-meta
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Debug Bar Post Meta