Sample Report
Here is a WordPress Vulnerability Scanner - WPScan sample report:
- Includes all discovered plugins, themes and their versions
- Shows vulnerabilities and exploits which affect each component
- Shows WordPress configuration issues (directory listing, backup files, etc)
- Contains WordPress fingerprinting information
WordPress Vulnerability Scanner - WPScan - Use Cases
This tool helps you discover security issues and vulnerabilities in the target WordPress website using the most advanced WordPress scanner: WPScan.
WordPress Penetration Testing
You can speed-up your penetration test using this scanner since it is already installed, configured and ready-to-go. Quickly discover vulnerable plugins, themes and other configuration issues.
Self-Security Assessment
Check if your own installation of WordPress is updated and properly configured. Enumerate your existing plugins and verify if they are at the latest version.
Third-Party Website Audit
If you are a web development company, you can also show this report to your clients and prove that you have implemented the proper security measures in the WordPress website.
Technical Details
About
List of tests performed
Here is the complete list of tests performed by WPScan:- Fingerprint the installed WordPress version
- Show the vulnerabilities for the running Wordpress version
- Enumerate the installed plugins and their versions
- Show the vulnerabilities for the identified plugins
- Enumerate the installed themes and their versions
- Show the vulnerabilities for the identified themes
- Enumerate the WordPress users
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Target URL | This is the url of the WordPress website that will be scanned. All urls must start with http or https. Don't forget to specify the complete path to the base directory of the WordPress installation. Ex. http://targetwp.com/blog/. |
| Detection Mode - Passive | Runs a non-intrusive detection i.e it sents a few requests to the server. It commonly scans the home page for any vulnerability. The passive mode is less likely to be detected by IDS/IPS solutions |
| Detection Mode - Aggressive | Performs a more intrusive scan as it sends numerous requests to the server. This approach has a greater chance of finding the correct WordPress version, to enumerate users and to better find the plugins. |
How it works
By analyzing the HTML source code and the HTTP headers, WPScan manages to extract all the necessary information to perform the assessment. The vulnerabilities presented are determined based on the specific versions of Wordpress or plugins/themes that have been identified.
The tool has also a database of WordPress vulnerabilities which is maintained and updated periodically.
How do WordPress sites get hacked?
Since WordPress is a widely used platform, it often becomes a target for hackers. Their attacks are facilitated by the high number of outdated WordPress installations and outdated plugins and themes. These old versions of WordPress components contain vulnerabilities and security weaknesses that can be exploited.
A WordPress hack often starts by identifying which version of WordPress is running and what are the installed plugins and themes. The next step is to fingerprint the running versions of those components and to search for public vulnerabilities affecting them. A lot of public exploits are also available online.
For instance, a well known WordPress plugin called Revolution Slider is affected by multiple high risk vulnerabilities in some of its older versions.
- Versions <= 4.1.4 of this plugin are affected by an Arbitrary File Download vulnerability which allows an attacker to download any file from the server (including php configuration files, database files, etc) by accessing a link such as:
http://vulnerable_wordpress.xx/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=revslider_show_image&img=../wp-config.php - Versions <= 3.0.95 of this plugin allow hackers to upload arbitrary files on the server including PHP shell files. The result of such an action is taking total control of the web server.
These hacks can be prevented by periodically scanning the WordPress installation using a tool such as our WordPress vulnerability scanner and identifying vulnerable components. These must be updated and the WordPress installation becomes a secure and trustful.
