When you search online for WordPress plugins or themes, you might come across sites offering them for free or at a fraction of their original price. These are often called GPL "marketplaces" or "clubs".
WordPress plugins and themes are covered by the GPL license, which means you can use and modify the code freely. However, just because the code is open does not mean developers are required to provide support or extra services.
Many websites take advantage of this, offering "nulled" versions of plugins and often mislead their customers. Using them can leave your site exposed to security gaps that have already been fixed in official updates.
How to Verify the Plugin Version Number?
In the case of Permalink Manager, these copies are often outdated and may be distributed with a version number that does not match the actual code. This can mislead users into thinking they are using the latest version.
A common tactic is changing the version number in the README.txt file. Even though the plugin may appear current, the actual code can be months or years behind.
If you are not sure, simply compare the version number displayed in the "Plugins" section:
with what appears in the plugin settings:
What Is the GPL License?
The General Public License (GPL) is one of the most popular open-source license types, allowing users to freely use, modify, and share the software code. Although GPL offers considerable freedom, users must respect certain conditions.
Specifically, if someone modifies and shares software licensed under GPL, they must clearly credit the original author and document exactly what changes they made.
This ensures that the original creator is recognized and that any modifications can be easily identified. Also, developers generally release their code without any guarantees, meaning they are not required to provide support or additional services without charge.
What Are Nulled Plugins?
When we say a plugin is nulled, we mean is delivered without a valid license key, and parts of the source code have been removed or circumvented. Typically, these removed elements include parts responsible for validating licenses or providing access to official updates.
In general, the "nulled plugins" are offered for free or at a much lower cost through so-called GPL marketplaces. This might first appear to be a good way to get paid features for free or at a discounted cost.
The reason is that the new plugin versions are only available to licensed users who can download them directly from the developer’s official server. If you are not one of them, you may need to wait several days until someone modifies and shares the new version again.
When using plugin files shared by others, you cannot fully verify their reliability. There is always a possibility that modified files may include extra malicious code not found in the official version.
Are Nulled Plugins Released with the Developer’s Consent?
No, nulled versions of plugins are not authorized by the original developers and shared outside the official distribution channels, without their knowledge or consent. These versions are altered by third parties to remove restrictions such as license validation.
Since they are shared without permission, they are not covered by official support, updates, or warranties. This can lead to both ethical concerns and security risks for users who rely on them.
Ethical Issues
At its core, the GPL is built on the principle of fairness. It assumes that everyone should have the opportunity to reuse and build upon existing code, either for their own projects or for contributing to open source efforts.
It is perfectly reasonable to evaluate a plugin before deciding whether it fits your needs, especially for non-commercial purposes. At the same time, GPL marketplaces and clubs distributing nulled versions for profit, without respecting the creator’s effort, create a serious problem.
Developers often depend on revenue from paying users to support ongoing work. If a large portion of users turn to nulled plugins, it could affect the developer’s ability to invest in updates, fix issues, or even keep the plugin available over time.
It makes sense if you choose to test the plugin using the GPL version before deciding to buy a license key to help the plugin creator. However, those who use the nulled plugins in bad faith are "free-riders" who take use of the plugins' premium features without paying for their development.
Without sufficient funding, developers who put their resources into making useful products may finally give up. Why would developers continue to work on a project if the majority of users are unwilling to pay for it?
The Hidden Costs of Using Nulled WordPress Plugins
Plugins that have been nulled often contain hidden malicious code or vulnerabilities. Security risks like these can compromise the integrity and security of your WordPress website. Malicious code may do anything from displaying annoying ads to attempting to steal private information.
For instance, WP-VCD malware has been detected in some files distributed on many GPL websites. Downloading the plugin from an unauthorized source have potential risks which you should be aware of.
Security Risks
Most developers release regular updates to improve their plugins by adding new features and strengthening security. If you are using a nulled plugin, you will not get them automatically.
In the worst-case scenario, you might not receive any updates at all, as most premium plugins download them from dedicated servers, and they require a valid license key to do so.
Some GPL marketplaces add their own update mechanism to the nulled code. However, even with this setup, you might experience delays. These usually occur because the marketplace needs time to process and "null" the new version again.
When you download plugin files from "unofficial" sources, it is important to proceed with caution. There is no guarantee that the modified versions are free from malicious code, which you would not find in the official plugin.
Lack of Support
Before using a nulled plugin, remember that you will not get any support. The GPL marketplaces distribute a wide range of themes and plugins and they are not connected to the original developers.
Because of this, they do not have the "know-how" needed to help you with specific features or troubleshooting.
WP-VCD Malware
WP-VCD malware is one of the most widespread issues seen in GPL-nulled themes and plugins. It poses a serious security risk, because it quietly infects the WordPress files to include spam content, and grants admin access to unauthorized users.
If all the infected files are not properly removed, the malware can return repeatedly. Scanning with a reputable security plugin (e.g., Wordfence or GOTMLs) can help detect and flag them.
If you suspect your website may have been affected by WP-VCD malware, start by looking for these specific signs:
- Suspicious Admin Users:
Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the "Users" section. Make sure that every administrator acount listed is someone you know or have approved. - Injected Code in Theme Files:
Open the functions.php file in your active theme and look for any unusual code, especially at the top or bottom. WP-VCD often adds the code that is usually hidden or hard to read. Here is what it may look like:
This is the part that loads the WP-VCD malware. - Suspicious Files and Modified Timestamps:
WP-VCD often places hidden PHP files inside directories such as /wp-includes/, /wp-content/, or even deeper folders like /wp-content/uploads/. Beyond adding new files, it may also alter the content of original WordPress core files.You can check for these modifications manually by comparing the file timestamps or using file integrity monitoring tools.
