now that's what i call wordpress security 2010
DESCRIPTION
My WordCamp Chicago 2010 WordPress Security presentationTRANSCRIPT
Props @tweetsfromchris
Brad WilliamsCo-Founder of WebDevStudios.com
Organizer NJ WordPress Meetup
Co-Host SitePoint Podcast
Co-Author of Professional WordPress (http://bit.ly/pro-wp)
Who Am I?
The Goal of this Presentation…
The Goal of this Presentation…
…Is to scare the crap out of you!
The Goal of this Presentation…
…and then make everything betterwith the best security tips!
Example WordPress Hacks Securing Your WordPress Website How to Clean Up a Hacked Site Recommended Plugins
Topics
Who Do Hackers Target?
Who Do Hackers Target?
YOU
Who Is Safe?
Who Is Safe?
NO ONE
Scared Yet?
ExampleExample
WordPress
Hacker bot finds a security hole on your website
ExampleExample
Hacker bot hides a file in your WordPress installation
WordPress
Akismet.cache.php is NOT an Akismet file
ExampleExample
WordPress Hacker Bot
Hacker bot can now trigger this file/code remotely
ExampleExample
WordPress Hacker Bot
Common Hacker bot script jobs
• Add spam content and links to your websites theme files• Create posts and pages with spam content and links• Delete posts/pages/settings wreaking havoc on your site• etc, etc, bad stuff, etc, etc
<b style=“display:none”>Any text you want to hide</b>
CSS Hides the SpamCSS Hides the Spam
Hidden Spam LinksHidden Spam Links
Only Noobs Get HackedOnly Noobs Get Hacked
WRONG!
Scobleizer.com: HACKED
Scobleizer.com: HACKED
Scobleizer.com: HACKED
Pearsonified.com: HACKED
FeaturedContentGallery.com: HACKED
Make it Stop!
Palette Cleanser
Securing WordPress
Don’t use the admin account
UPDATE wp_users SET user_login='newuser' WHERE user_login='admin';
If you are using the admin account you are wrong!
Either change the username in MySQL:
Or create a new/unique account with administrator privileges.
1.Create a new account. Make the username very unique2.Assign account to Administrator role3.Log out and log back in with new account4.Delete admin account
Make it hard on the hacker! If they already know your username that’s half the battle
Don’t use the admin account
WordPress 3.0 lets you setthe administrator username
during the installation process!
The Great Permission DebateWhat folder permissions should you use?
Good Rule of Thumb:• Files should be set to 644• Folders should be set to 755
Start with the default settings above if you can’t upload increase privileges (ie 775, 777)
Permission levels vary depending on server configuration
The Great Permission Debate
Permissions can be set via FTP
find [your path here] -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;find [your path here] -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
Or via SSH with the following commands
Move the wp-config.php fileWordPress 2.6 added the ability to move the wp-config.php
file one directory above your WordPress root
This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to access your wp-config.php file as it now resides outside of your website’s root directory
You can move your wp-config.php file to here
WordPress automatically checks the parent directory if a wp-config.php file is not found in your root directory
public_html/wordpress/wp-config.php
If WordPress is located here:
public_html/wp-config.php
Move the wp-content DirectoryWordPress 2.6 added the ability to move the wp-content directory
1. Move your wp-content directory2. Make two additions to wp-config.php
define( 'WP_CONTENT_DIR', $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/blog/wp-content' );define( 'WP_CONTENT_URL', 'http://domain.com/blog/wp-content');
define( 'WP_PLUGIN_DIR', $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/blog/wp-content/plugins' );define( 'WP_PLUGIN_URL', 'http://domain.com/blog/wp-content/plugins');
If you have compatibility issues with plugins there are two optional settings
If hackers can’t find your wp-content folder, they can’t hack it!
Remove WordPress Version from HeaderViewing source on most WP sites will reveal the version they are running
This helps hackers find vulnerable WP blogs running older versions
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 2.9.2" /> <!-- leave this for stats -->
To remove find the code below in your header.php file of your theme and remove it
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress <?php bloginfo('version'); ?>" />
<!-- leave this for stats please -->
Themes and plugins might also display versions in your header.
The wp_head function also includes the WP version in your headerTo remove drop this line of code in your themes functions.php file
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');
Stay Current on UpdatesKeep WordPress core, plugins, and theme files up to date
The plugin Changelog tab makes it very easy to view what has changed in a new plugin version
Recent WordPress hack only affected outdated WordPress installs
Use Secure PasswordsUse strong passwords to protect your website from dictionary attacks
Not just for WordPress, but also FTP, MySQL, etc
BAD PASSWORD: bradrocks
Great resource: toughpassword.com
Creates random passwords
GOOD PASSWORD: S-gnop2D[6@8
WordPress will tell youwhen you have it right
Use Secret Keys
define('AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('NONCE_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');define('SECURE_AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');define('LOGGED_IN_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');define('NONCE_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');
1. Edit wp-config.php
A secret key is a hashing salt which makes your site harder to hack by adding random elements to the password.
2. Visit this URL to get your secret keys: https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt
BEFORE
define('AUTH_KEY', '*8`:Balq!`,-j.JTl~sP%&>@ON,t(}S6)IG|nG1JIfY(,y=][-3$!N6be]-af|BD');define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'q+i-|3S~d?];6$[$!ZOXbw6c]0 !k/,UxOod>fqV!sWCkvBihF2#hI=CDt_}WaH1');define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'D/QoRf{=&OC=CrT/^Zq}M9MPT&49^O}G+m2L{ItpX_jh(-I&-?pkeC_SaF0nw;m+');define('NONCE_KEY', 'oJo8C&sc+ C7Yc,W1v o5}.FR,Zk!J<]vaCa%2D9nj8otj5z8UnJ_q.Q!hgpQ*-H');define('AUTH_SALT', 'r>O/;U|xg~I5v.u(Nq+JMfYHk.*[p8!baAsb1DKa8.0}q/@V5snU1hV2eR!|whmt');define('SECURE_AUTH_SALT', '3s1|cIj d7y<?]Z1n# i1^FQ *L(Kax)Y%r(mp[DUX.1a3!jv(;P_H6Q7|y.!7|-');define('LOGGED_IN_SALT', '`@>+QdZhD!|AKk09*mr~-F]/F39Sxjl31FX8uw+wxUYI;U{NWx|y|+bKJ*4`uF`*');define('NONCE_SALT', 'O+#iqcPw#]O4TcC%Kz_DAf:mK!Zy@Zt*Kmm^C25U|T!|?ldOf/l1TZ6Tw$9y[M/6');
AFTER
You can add/change secret keys at anytime. This will invalidate all existing cookies and require your users to login again
Change WordPress Table Prefix
/** * WordPress Database Table prefix. * * You can have multiple installations in one database if you give each a unique * prefix. Only numbers, letters, and underscores please! */$table_prefix = ‘drupal_';
1. Edit wp-config.php before installing WordPress
All database tables will now have a unique prefix (ie drupal_posts)
2. Change the prefix wp_ to something unique:
Force SSL Login and Admin Access
define('FORCE_SSL_LOGIN', true);
Set the below option in wp-config.php to force SSL (https) on login
Set the below option in wp-config.php to force SSL (https) on all admin pages
define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);
.htaccess lockdown
AuthUserFile /dev/nullAuthGroupFile /dev/nullAuthName "Access Control"AuthType Basicorder deny,allowdeny from all#IP address to Whitelistallow from 67.123.83.59allow from 123.123.123.123
1. Create a .htaccess file in your wp-admin directory
Only a user with the IP 67.123.83.59 or 123.123.123.123 can access wp-admin
2. Add the following lines of code:
Clean Up a Hacked Site
Step 1: Delete Everything and Start Over!
OR
Step 1: Do a Fresh Install of WordPress
• Delete, don’t overwrite, all original WordPress files• Upload fresh copies of all WordPress core files
Be sure to backup your theme, plugins, media, etc
Step 2: Re-install All Plugins
• Install fresh copies of all WP plugins need• DON’T use the same plugin files from the hacked site
Step 3: Re-install Your Theme
• If possible install a fresh copy of your theme• If using the old theme be sure to inspect every file for hack code
Step 4: Change all Passwords and Keys
• Change your passwords: WordPress, FTP, MySQL• Verify the hacker didn’t create another user, if so delete it• Update your secret keys in wp-config.php (as shown earlier)
Step 5: Scan Database for Malicious Code
• Look for common hack keywords: • eval, base64, strrev, iframe, noscript, display
• Use WordPress Exploit Scanner plugin (discussed later)
Example SQL: SELECT * FROM wp_posts WHERE post_content LIKE '%eval%'
Step 6: Verify folder/file permissions
• Check all folder and file permissions are correct• Reset to 755 on folders and 644 on files if needed
Step 7: Pray
Recommended Security Plugins
WP Security Scan
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-security-scan/
WP-MalWatch
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-malwatch/
• Nightly security scan• Detects files based on configurable file patterns• Detects hidden files•
ServerBuddy
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/serverbuddy-by-pluginbuddy/
WordPress Exploit Scanner
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exploit-scanner/
WordPress File Monitor
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-file-monitor/
Login Lockdown
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/login-lockdown/
Security Related Codex Articles› http://codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress› http://codex.wordpress.org/Changing_File_Permissions› http://codex.wordpress.org/Editing_wp-config.php› http://codex.wordpress.org/htaccess_for_subdirectories
Blog Security Articles› http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/11-vital-tips-and-hacks-to-protect-your-
wordpress-admin-area/› http://www.growmap.com/wordpress-exploits/› http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2009/03/07/firewalling-and-hack-proofing-your-
wordpress-blog/› http://semlabs.co.uk/journal/how-to-stop-your-wordpress-blog-getting-hacked/› http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/18-useful-plugins-and-hacks-to-protect-your-
wordpress-blog/› http://www.catswhocode.com/blog/10-easy-ways-to-secure-your-wordpress-blog
Clean A Hacked Site› http://codex.wordpress.org/FAQ_My_site_was_hacked› http://ottodestruct.com/blog/2009/hacked-wordpress-backdoors/› http://ocaoimh.ie/did-your-wordpress-site-get-hacked/› http://smackdown.blogsblogsblogs.com/2008/06/24/how-to-completely-clean-
your-hacked-wordpress-installation/› http://blog.sucuri.net/2010/02/removing-malware-from-wordpress-blog.html
WordPress Security Resources
Brad [email protected]
Blog: strangework.com
Twitter: @williamsba
IRC: WDS-Brad
http://www.slideshare.net/williamsba
Contact
Tweet: @williamsba WordPress Security Rocks! #wcchicago
Win a copy of Professional WordPress!