WordPress powers approximately 43.3% of the web, while Joomla accounts for another 2.5%. These popular content management system (CMS) platforms dominate the landscape of website creation and management, offering ease of use and rapid deployment for business websites with standard functionality.
However, here is the uncomfortable truth: custom-built websites are fundamentally more secure than CMS platforms like WordPress and Joomla. This security advantage stems from the unique architecture and tailored codebase of custom websites compared to the predictable and widely used CMS frameworks that power millions of sites worldwide.
A new security crisis is emerging in the realm of web development. AI-generated coding is producing thousands of websites with identical vulnerabilities, creating a significant risk as hackers prepare to exploit these weaknesses at scale.
According to recent security research from Search Engine Journal, over 90% of hacked WordPress sites were running outdated software, and 96-97% of WordPress vulnerabilities stem from third-party plugins. These security vulnerabilities in open source CMS platforms like WordPress and Joomla create significant risks for business websites. Our security audit service can help identify security vulnerabilities in both CMS and custom websites to protect your business needs and ensure robust content management security.
The CMS Security Problem
Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress and Joomla offer ease of use and rapid website development, making them popular CMS platforms for business websites. These platforms provide a user-friendly content management experience, allowing non-technical users to create and manage content without deep coding knowledge. However, they come with fundamental security weaknesses that are inherent to their widespread adoption and architecture:
- Known attack surface: Hackers understand exactly how popular open source CMS platforms like WordPress function, making it easier to target them with automated attacks.
- Plugin vulnerabilities: Approximately 96-97% of WordPress security vulnerabilities arise from third-party plugins, which can introduce unpatched flaws and supply chain risks.
- Mass exploitation: A single security vulnerability can affect millions of sites using the same CMS solution, amplifying the risk of widespread breaches.
- Predictable code: Open source CMS platforms are designed with common frameworks, themes, and CMS web structures, allowing hackers to write automated scripts that work across many websites quickly.
- Maintenance challenges: Many site owners struggle with ongoing code maintenance and security updates, leaving security vulnerabilities unpatched.
This is not a criticism of WordPress or other open source CMS platforms. It is a reality of their popularity and widespread use. When a CMS powers over 80 million websites globally, it naturally becomes a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit common security vulnerabilities. In fact, as of 2025, approximately 68.7% of all websites use a CMS, with WordPress alone powering around 43.3% of all sites and holding about 60-63.5% of the CMS market share. The challenge lies in maintaining proper code maintenance and addressing security vulnerabilities promptly across millions of installations.
Why Custom Websites Are More Secure
Custom website development offers significant security advantages over CMS platforms. Custom websites provide full control over web design, functionality, and security tailored to specific business goals and business needs, enabling a more secure and efficient website solution.
1. Unknown Attack Surface
Unlike CMS platforms, custom websites have a unique architecture that hackers do not know in advance. This means attackers cannot deploy generic exploits and must:
- Analyze your specific custom codebase
- Identify unique vulnerabilities specific to your implementation
- Develop tailored exploits
- Test attacks against your custom website
This process is time-consuming and expensive. Hackers prefer targeting CMS platforms because one exploit can compromise millions of sites quickly, while custom solutions require more development time and effort to breach.
2. No Plugin Vulnerabilities
Custom websites avoid the risks associated with third-party plugins common in CMS platforms:
- No reliance on external plugins with unknown or abandoned code
- No supply chain attacks through plugin updates
- No compatibility conflicts between multiple plugins
- All code is specifically written and maintained for your website’s unique functionality
Every line of code is crafted for your site, making vulnerabilities unique and harder to exploit en masse, which aligns with best practices in custom web development.
3. Minimal Code Surface
CMS platforms like WordPress are often bloated with:
- WordPress core containing over 500,000 lines of code
- Plugins adding 50,000 to 200,000 additional lines per site
- Themes and extensions contributing even more code and potential vulnerabilities
In contrast, custom websites are lean and efficient:
- Only the necessary code for your specific website needs
- No unused or legacy features
- Reduced attack surface due to minimal codebase
Less code means fewer vulnerabilities and better website performance. This is a key advantage of custom website development over CMS platforms that include many generic features not needed for your business needs.
4. Unique Architecture
Custom websites feature:
- Distinct file structures
- Custom database schemas tailored to business logic
- Proprietary authentication and authorization systems
- Non-standard URL patterns and routing
These unique elements prevent hackers from using automated tools designed for common CMS platforms. Manual attacks are costly, so hackers typically avoid custom solutions.
Manual attacks are expensive; automated attacks are cheap. Hackers choose the latter.
The AI Code Crisis Coming
While custom websites offer superior security, a new threat is emerging with the rise of AI-assisted coding in web development.
AI-generated code is creating thousands of websites with identical vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of mass exploitation. This risk affects both CMS and custom development projects that rely heavily on AI-generated coding without proper security oversight.
The "Vibe Coding" Problem
Developers increasingly rely on AI tools such as ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot to generate website code quickly:
- ChatGPT writes functional code snippets
- GitHub Copilot suggests coding solutions during development
- AI tools can generate entire websites rapidly
- Often, there is no thorough human security review
This practice, known as "vibe coding," produces code that looks good and functions but harbors security flaws AI does not detect or understand, posing a significant risk in modern web development.
Why AI Code Is Dangerous
AI-generated code has a critical security risk: it is predictable and repetitive.
- Similar patterns: AI generates nearly identical code for common problems across many websites
- Common mistakes: AI repeats the same security oversights, such as missing input validation or escaping
- No security context: AI lacks understanding of security implications and threat modeling
- No vulnerability testing: AI does not perform security testing or penetration tests
As thousands of developers use the same AI tools, they inadvertently create:
- Thousands of websites with identical code patterns
- Thousands of sites sharing the same vulnerabilities
- One exploit capable of compromising thousands of sites simultaneously
This new attack surface is potentially more dangerous than vulnerabilities in popular CMS platforms.
The Similarity Problem
Here is a typical scenario in web development:
- A developer asks AI: "Create a login system"
- AI generates code with a common vulnerability, such as SQL injection
- The developer uses the code without a security review
- Thousands of other developers do the same
- A hacker discovers the vulnerability in one site
- The hacker writes an exploit that works across all those sites
This situation is worse than CMS vulnerabilities because:
- No central patching: Each custom site requires individual fixes, unlike CMS platforms with centralized updates
- No dedicated security teams: Many AI-generated sites lack ongoing monitoring
- No automatic updates: AI-generated sites are often built and forgotten
- Low awareness: Site owners are often unaware of their vulnerabilities until exploited
Real Examples of AI Code Vulnerabilities
Common vulnerabilities found in AI-generated code include:
1. SQL Injection
AI-generated code example:
$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = '" . $_POST['email'] . "'";Problem: Direct string concatenation allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands, a classic SQL injection vulnerability.
Prevalence: Thousands of sites are vulnerable due to AI suggesting this insecure pattern, highlighting the risk of using AI-generated code without security review.
2. XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
AI-generated code example:
echo "Welcome, " . $_GET['name'] . "!";Problem: Unescaped user input enables attackers to inject malicious scripts, leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.
Prevalence: Thousands of sites share this vulnerability because AI does not escape output by default, a critical security oversight.
3. Authentication Bypass
AI-generated code example:
if ($_SESSION['admin'] == true) {
// Allow access
}Problem: Weak comparison operators allow type juggling attacks that bypass authentication, compromising site security.
Prevalence: Thousands of sites use loose comparisons suggested by AI, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.
4. File Upload Vulnerabilities
AI-generated code example:
move_uploaded_file($_FILES['file']['tmp_name'], 'uploads/' . $_FILES['file']['name']);Problem: No file type validation allows attackers to upload malicious PHP files, leading to remote code execution.
Prevalence: Thousands of sites are vulnerable due to lack of validation in AI-generated code, a serious security risk.
These vulnerabilities are not theoretical; they exist in AI-generated websites today and pose a real risk to business websites relying on AI-assisted coding.
Why This Is Worse Than CMS Vulnerabilities
While CMS vulnerabilities are significant, AI code vulnerabilities present unique challenges that complicate traditional web security approaches:
| Aspect | CMS Vulnerabilities | AI Code Vulnerabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Security researchers find and report issues | Hackers discover vulnerabilities in the wild |
| Patching | Centralized updates available for CMS platforms | Each AI-generated site requires individual fixes |
| Awareness | Public disclosure and notifications to site owners | Site owners unaware until after breaches occur |
| Scale | Millions of sites affected but patched quickly | Thousands of sites vulnerable with no patches |
| Exploitation | Automated attacks mitigated by patches | Automated attacks with no available fixes |
AI code vulnerabilities represent a ticking time bomb in web security, especially as AI tools become more prevalent in website development.
The Future: Mass Exploitation of AI-Generated Sites
Based on current trends in web development and AI coding, here is a likely timeline for the emerging crisis:
2025-2026: The Discovery Phase
Hackers will analyze AI-generated code patterns and:
- Identify recurring security flaws
- Develop exploits that target thousands of sites simultaneously
- Test these exploits at scale using automated tools
2026-2027: The Exploitation Phase
Mass exploitation will begin as:
- Automated bots scan for AI-generated code vulnerabilities
- Exploits compromise thousands of sites rapidly
- Site owners remain unaware of their exposure until breaches occur
2027-2028: The Crisis Phase
The full impact will be felt:
- Hundreds of thousands of AI-generated websites compromised
- No centralized patching or coordinated response
- Site owners struggle to fix vulnerabilities
- Massive data breaches and significant business disruptions
This is not speculation but an inevitable consequence of current AI coding practices in website development.
How to Protect Yourself
If you have a custom website or are considering custom web development, follow these best practices to mitigate AI code security risks and ensure your website meets your business needs securely:
1. Security Review
Engage security experts to thoroughly review your website code, including AI-generated portions:
- Manual code audits
- Automated vulnerability scanning
- Penetration testing
- Comprehensive security audits
Never assume AI-generated code is secure by default. Our security audit service specializes in identifying vulnerabilities in both CMS and custom websites, ensuring your content management system or custom solution is secure.
2. Custom Security Implementation
Implement robust security measures during custom development and CMS customization:
- Strict input validation and sanitization
- Output escaping to prevent XSS
- Use prepared statements for all database queries
- Strong authentication and authorization controls
- File upload validation and restrictions
- Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection
AI tools do not automatically apply these best practices; they must be explicitly integrated by experienced web developers during custom web development or CMS development.
3. Ongoing Maintenance
Custom websites require continuous code maintenance to stay secure and performant:
- Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning to identify security vulnerabilities
- Timely code updates and patching as part of ongoing code maintenance
- Continuous security monitoring to detect new security vulnerabilities
- Proactive code maintenance to address issues before they become exploitable
Our maintenance plans include these essential services for comprehensive code maintenance to keep your custom website or CMS platform secure and aligned with your business goals.
4. Professional Development
When building a custom website or customizing a CMS, ensure you:
- Hire experienced web developers knowledgeable in security best practices
- Do not rely solely on AI-generated code
- Conduct thorough code reviews before deployment
- Test extensively for vulnerabilities
- Implement security-first web design and architecture
AI is a powerful tool but not a replacement for expert human oversight in web development and content management system customization.
The ProWebCare Approach
At ProWebCare, we approach custom website development with a security-first mindset tailored to your specific business needs:
- Security-first architecture: Security is integrated from day one in the development process
- Human code review: Every line of code undergoes expert security review
- Unique implementations: We avoid copy-paste or AI-generated patterns that introduce common vulnerabilities
- Ongoing maintenance: Continuous security updates and monitoring
- Vulnerability testing: Regular security audits to identify and fix risks promptly
We use AI as a tool to enhance productivity but never as a crutch. We review, test, and secure every website we build, whether a fully custom solution or a CMS platform customized to your business goals.
The Verdict
Custom websites offer superior security compared to CMS platforms, but only when built correctly with security best practices and ongoing maintenance.
The coming AI code crisis threatens to create thousands of vulnerable sites with identical security flaws, ripe for mass exploitation.
You have three choices for your website development:
- Use a CMS: Accept known vulnerabilities, maintain regular updates, and use security plugins to mitigate risks.
- Build custom with AI: Risk introducing identical vulnerabilities across thousands of sites without proper security review.
- Build custom properly: Invest in security-first architecture, human code review, and unique implementations tailored to your business goals.
The third option is the most secure but requires expertise, time, and investment.
Security is not free, but breaches cost far more.
Do not let AI-generated code create vulnerabilities in your website. Build it right. Build it secure. Build it custom.
The future of web security depends on it.
If you need assistance building a secure custom website or reviewing existing code for vulnerabilities, our development team specializes in security-first architecture. Our security audit service can identify vulnerabilities in both CMS and custom websites to meet your business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a CMS and a website?
The difference between a CMS (Content Management System) and a website lies primarily in their nature and purpose: a website is the actual online presence or digital platform accessible via the internet, while a CMS is a software tool or platform used to create, manage, and modify the content of that website without needing to code from scratch. CMS platforms like WordPress provide a user-friendly interface for managing content without deep technical knowledge, enabling faster website creation and ongoing content management.
Can you have a website without a CMS?
Yes, you can absolutely have a website without a CMS (Content Management System). Custom websites are built from scratch using programming languages and frameworks such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Node.js, or Python, without relying on CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla. This approach offers full control over web design, functionality, and security but requires more development time and expertise compared to using a CMS platform.
Should I use a CMS for my website?
Using a CMS like WordPress or a website builder can be beneficial for launching websites quickly and managing content easily, especially for small to medium business websites with standard functionality. However, open source CMS platforms and website builder tools come with known security vulnerabilities and may not meet specific business needs requiring unique features or enhanced security. Choosing between CMS, website builder, and custom development depends on your website needs, business goals, and willingness to invest in security and ongoing code maintenance.
Is a website the same as a CMS?
No. A website is the actual online presence consisting of web pages, while a CMS is a tool or platform used to build and manage that website’s content. Websites can be built with or without a CMS depending on the development approach.
Are custom websites really more secure than CMS platforms?
Yes, when built with security best practices. Custom websites have an unknown attack surface, no plugin vulnerabilities, minimal code surface, and unique architecture that makes automated attacks difficult. However, this advantage only holds if the custom website is developed properly with expert coding and security reviews. AI-generated code without review can negate these benefits by introducing identical vulnerabilities across many sites.
What makes CMS platforms vulnerable?
Open source CMS platforms have a known attack surface because their codebase and architecture are public and widely understood by hackers. Security vulnerabilities in plugins are a major issue, with 96-97% of WordPress security problems arising from third-party plugins. Mass exploitation is possible because one security vulnerability can affect millions of sites. Additionally, many hacked CMS sites run outdated software due to poor code maintenance, increasing risk. Regular updates, proper code maintenance, and security plugins are essential to mitigate these security vulnerabilities.
How dangerous is AI-generated code?
AI-generated code can be very dangerous if used without proper security review. It tends to produce predictable code patterns with repeated security mistakes and lacks understanding of security context. Thousands of websites built with similar AI-generated code can share identical vulnerabilities, making them easy targets for mass exploitation. Security audits are critical to identify and fix these issues.
What are the most common AI code vulnerabilities?
Common vulnerabilities in AI-generated code include SQL injection due to unsafe database queries, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) from unescaped user input, authentication bypass through weak comparisons, and file upload vulnerabilities lacking proper validation. These issues appear in thousands of sites because AI suggests similar insecure coding patterns.
Should I avoid using AI for code generation?
No, but you should never deploy AI-generated code without thorough security review. AI is a valuable tool for accelerating web development but cannot replace expert human oversight. Always have experienced web developers review, test, and secure AI-generated code before launching your website.
How can I protect my custom website from AI code vulnerabilities?
Protect your custom website by addressing security vulnerabilities through:
- Engaging security experts for code reviews and audits to identify security vulnerabilities
- Implementing security best practices such as input validation, output escaping, and prepared statements
- Performing regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to discover security vulnerabilities
- Maintaining ongoing code maintenance with security monitoring and timely patching
- Regular code maintenance to fix security vulnerabilities before they're exploited
Our security audit service and maintenance plans provide comprehensive code maintenance and protection for custom websites and open source CMS platforms alike.
Is it worth building a custom website for security?
Building a custom website can offer enhanced security and tailored functionality but requires more development time, expertise, and investment compared to CMS platforms. The decision depends on your specific business needs, website goals, and willingness to maintain ongoing security. Proper security practices are essential regardless of the approach.
What should I do if my site was built with AI-generated code?
If your website uses AI-generated code, immediately have a security expert review the codebase. AI-generated code often contains common vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Our security audit service can identify these risks and recommend necessary fixes. Proactive security is critical to avoid costly breaches.
