# Wordpress Penetration Testing

> 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 vu...

- Skill: `ranbot-ai/wordpress-penetration-testing` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add ranbot-ai/wordpress-penetration-testing`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ranbot-ai/wordpress-penetration-testing/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security
- Author: ranbot-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/ranbot-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ranbot-ai/wordpress-penetration-testing

---



# 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-jso