VS Link Manager Security & Risk Analysis

wordpress.org/plugins/very-simple-link-manager

With this lightweight plugin you can display a set of links from the Link Manager.

100 active installs v3.9 PHP 7.4+ WP 6.0+ Updated Feb 14, 2026
blogrollclassicpresslink-managerlink-portallinks
100
A · Safe
CVEs total0
Unpatched0
Last CVENever
Download
Safety Verdict

Is VS Link Manager Safe to Use in 2026?

Generally Safe

Score 100/100

VS Link Manager has no known CVEs and is actively maintained. It's a solid choice for most WordPress installations.

No known CVEs Updated 1mo ago
Risk Assessment

The "very-simple-link-manager" v3.9 plugin exhibits a generally strong security posture based on the provided static analysis. The absence of dangerous functions, raw SQL queries, external HTTP requests, and file operations is commendable. The high percentage of properly escaped output further indicates good coding practices. Crucially, the plugin has no recorded vulnerabilities or CVEs, suggesting a history of secure development and maintenance.

However, a significant concern arises from the complete lack of nonce checks and capability checks. While the current analysis shows no unprotected entry points, this absence leaves the plugin vulnerable to potential CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) and privilege escalation attacks if new entry points are introduced or if existing ones are modified without proper security controls. The single shortcode, while currently not having authentication checks listed, represents an entry point that should ideally be protected by a nonce and capability check to prevent unauthorized manipulation.

In conclusion, the plugin's current state is positive, with robust handling of common vulnerabilities. The primary weakness lies in the missing security layers (nonces and capability checks) on its entry points, particularly the shortcode. Addressing this would significantly enhance its overall security by mitigating risks associated with unauthorized actions and ensuring that only legitimate users can interact with its features.

Key Concerns

  • Missing nonce checks
  • Missing capability checks
  • Shortcode without auth checks mentioned
Vulnerabilities
None known

VS Link Manager Security Vulnerabilities

No known vulnerabilities — this is a good sign.
Code Analysis
Analyzed Mar 16, 2026

VS Link Manager Code Analysis

Dangerous Functions
0
Raw SQL Queries
0
0 prepared
Unescaped Output
2
62 escaped
Nonce Checks
0
Capability Checks
0
File Operations
0
External Requests
0
Bundled Libraries
0

Output Escaping

97% escaped64 total outputs
Attack Surface

VS Link Manager Attack Surface

Entry Points1
Unprotected0

Shortcodes 1

[links] vslm-shortcode.php:70
WordPress Hooks 6
actioninitblock\vslm-block.php:16
actionenqueue_block_assetsblock\vslm-block.php:24
filterpre_option_link_manager_enabledvslm.php:21
actionwp_enqueue_scriptsvslm.php:27
actionwidgets_initvslm.php:33
filterbody_classvslm.php:50
Maintenance & Trust

VS Link Manager Maintenance & Trust

Maintenance Signals

WordPress version tested6.9.4
Last updatedFeb 14, 2026
PHP min version7.4
Downloads6K

Community Trust

Rating100/100
Number of ratings2
Active installs100
Developer Profile

VS Link Manager Developer Profile

Guido

19 plugins · 23K total installs

76
trust score
Avg Security Score
95/100
Avg Patch Time
341 days
View full developer profile
Detection Fingerprints

How We Detect VS Link Manager

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

Asset Fingerprints

Asset Paths
/wp-content/plugins/very-simple-link-manager/css/vslm-style.min.css
Version Parameters
vslm-style.min.css?ver=

HTML / DOM Fingerprints

CSS Classes
vslm-twentyvslm-customvslm-onevslm-twovslm-threevslm-fourvslm-no-categories
Data Attributes
columns
Shortcode Output
[links columns="
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about VS Link Manager