You Should Be Using WPScan If You Have a Wordpress Site

WPScan is a powerful, open-source tool designed specifically for scanning WordPress websites for vulnerabilities. As one of the most popular content management systems, WordPress is a common target for attackers, making WPScan an essential tool for web penetration testers. Here are the top six use cases for WPScan in web pentesting, along with examples to illustrate its capabilities.

1. Enumerating WordPress Plugins

Use Case: Identifying installed plugins to check for known vulnerabilities.

Example:

wpscan --url https://example.com --enumerate p

This command scans the specified WordPress site (`example.com`) and enumerates all installed plugins. If any plugins are outdated or have known vulnerabilities, WPScan will list them, allowing the tester to assess the risk and recommend updates or patches.

2. Enumerating WordPress Themes

Use Case: Detecting installed themes to find potential security flaws.

Example:

wpscan --url https://example.com --enumerate t

By running this command, WPScan will list all themes installed on the WordPress site. Themes, like plugins, can have vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Identifying these themes helps in securing the site by ensuring they are up-to-date and secure.

3. Enumerating WordPress Users

Use Case: Discovering user accounts to target with brute-force attacks.

Example:

wpscan --url https://example.com --enumerate u

This command enumerates all user accounts on the WordPress site. Knowing usernames is the first step in launching brute-force attacks. Penetration testers use this information to test the strength of user passwords and advise on improving password policies.

4. Detecting WordPress Version

Use Case: Identifying the WordPress version to find specific vulnerabilities.

Example:

wpscan --url https://example.com

Simply scanning the site without any enumeration flags allows WPScan to detect the WordPress version in use. Knowing the version helps testers identify vulnerabilities specific to that version, guiding further testing and remediation efforts.

5. Performing Vulnerability Scans

Use Case: Conducting comprehensive scans to find a wide range of vulnerabilities.

Example:

wpscan --url https://example.com --api-token YOUR_API_TOKEN

Using an API token, WPScan can perform a detailed vulnerability scan, checking against a database of known WordPress vulnerabilities. This comprehensive scan helps in identifying various security issues, including those related to core files, themes, and plugins.

6. Brute-Forcing Login Credentials

Use Case: Testing the strength of user passwords by attempting to brute-force login credentials.

Example:

wpscan --url https://example.com --passwords passwords.txt --usernames admin

This command attempts to brute-force the password for the `admin` user using a wordlist (`passwords.txt`). While this should be done with caution and only with explicit permission, it helps identify weak passwords and improve overall security by enforcing stronger password policies.

Conclusion

WPScan is a versatile tool that plays a crucial role in web penetration testing, specifically for WordPress sites. By using WPScan to enumerate plugins, themes, and users, detect WordPress versions, perform vulnerability scans, and brute-force login credentials, penetration testers can thoroughly assess and improve the security posture of a WordPress website. Always ensure you have proper authorization before performing any scans, and use the insights gained to strengthen the site's defenses.

Have you used WPScan in your pentesting or CTF engagements? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

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