xmlrpc.php explained: what it is, what it does, and how to secure it

Introduction

xmlrpc.php is a small PHP script included with WordPress. It exposes an XML-RPC interface that lets external clients interact with your site. For many WordPress sites, it’s not needed, but some apps rely on it for remote publishing or management.

What is xmlrpc.php?

xmlrpc.php handles XML-RPC requests by accepting POSTed XML payloads and executing corresponding WordPress actions. It originally supported features like remote publishing and pingbacks, and it can be accessed at your site's root URL under /xmlrpc.php (for example, https://example.com/xmlrpc.php).

What it does and how it’s used

Used legitimately by some blogging clients and mobile apps to publish posts or manage comments. In practice, many sites never use it, making it a potential attack surface if left enabled.

Security risks and common abuse

Common risks include brute-force login attempts against WordPress accounts, and pingback-based DDoS amplification attacks if pingbacks are enabled. An outdated WordPress version may also harbor known XML-RPC vulnerabilities.

Should you disable xmlrpc.php?

If you don’t rely on remote publishing, mobile apps, or pingbacks, it’s reasonable to disable xmlrpc.php to reduce risk. If you do rely on it, take steps to secure it instead of disabling it entirely.

How to secure or disable it

• Use a security plugin or your hosting control panel to disable XML-RPC when not needed.
• Block access to xmlrpc.php with web server rules (for example, deny access via .htaccess or nginx rules).
• If you must keep it enabled, enforce strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and limit login attempts.
• Consider disabling pingbacks: you can do this in WordPress settings or via code to remove the pingback method from xmlrpc.
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or CDN to help filter malicious requests.

Testing if xmlrpc.php is enabled

You can check by visiting https://your-site.com/xmlrpc.php in a browser (you should see a simple message if it’s enabled) or by sending a POST request with XML payload to see if the server responds. Some hosting setups report a 405 or 200 depending on configuration.

Alternative approaches

WordPress now ships with REST API-based functionality for many tasks. If your goal is remote publishing or integrations, explore REST API-powered solutions as a modern, more restricted alternative.

Conclusion

xmlrpc.php can be a helpful tool for certain workflows, but it also introduces risk if left enabled without controls. Assess your actual needs, and disable or secure it accordingly to protect your site.