---
title: "WEB-CMS-002 WordPress XML-RPC Interface Enabled"
canonical: https://openvapt.com/checks/WEB-CMS-002.html
html: https://openvapt.com/checks/WEB-CMS-002.html
site: OpenVAPT, https://openvapt.com/
license: OpenVAPT Source-Available Licence 1.3, https://openvapt.com/legal/licence-text.html
modified: 2026-10-14
version: 0.1.0-alpha.6
---

# WEB-CMS-002 WordPress XML-RPC Interface Enabled

Checks whether xmlrpc.php answers on WordPress sites.

- Domain: Web Apps
- Severity: Low
- Control category: Web Application Security
- Fix effort: low
- CVSS v3.1 vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L`
- CIS Controls v8: 16.7
- NIST CSF 2.0: PR.PS-01
- CWE: CWE-307
- OWASP Top 10 2021: A07:2021
- OWASP ASVS 4.0.3: 2.2.1
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AC-7, CM-7

## Why It Matters

XML-RPC allows many password guesses in one request (system.multicall) and is abused for pingback amplification. Few sites still need it.

## How It Detects

Sends one GET to /xmlrpc.php; the standard reply 'XML-RPC server accepts POST requests only.' confirms it is enabled. No XML-RPC call is made.

## How to Fix

Block it at the web server (<Files xmlrpc.php> Require all denied </Files>) or disable it with a security plugin, unless Jetpack or the mobile app needs it.

## How to Verify

```
curl -s https://<site>/xmlrpc.php  should return 403 or 404.
```

## Learn the Theory

- [P6 Information Exposure and Misconfiguration](https://openvapt.com/academy/p6.md)
- [P14 CMS Hardening in Depth: WordPress, Joomla and Drupal](https://openvapt.com/academy/p14.md)

## References

- [WordPress Developer Resources, Brute Force Attacks (XML-RPC)](https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/security/brute-force/)

## Source Code

https://github.com/OpenVAPT/openvapt/blob/574f7f3333c44b75a3c649e2d93a76d507f75adf/internal/checks/web/cms.go

Run it: `openvapt scan --only WEB-CMS-002`. Read it offline: `openvapt explain WEB-CMS-002`.

---

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