X

How to Protect WordPress Against Malicious URL Requests

Snippets by IsItWP

Are you looking for a way to protect your WordPress site form malicious URL requests? While there’s probably a plugin for this, we have created a quick code snippet that you can use to protect WordPress against malicious URL requests in WordPress.

Instructions:

All you have to do is add this code to your theme’s .htaccess file.


$request_uri = $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];
$query_string = $_SERVER['QUERY_STRING'];
$user_agent = $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT'];

// request uri
if (	//strlen($request_uri) > 255 || 
	stripos($request_uri, 'eval(') || 
	stripos($request_uri, 'CONCAT') || 
	stripos($request_uri, 'UNION+SELECT') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '(null)') || 
	stripos($request_uri, 'base64_') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/localhost') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/pingserver') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/config.') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/wwwroot') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/makefile') || 
	stripos($request_uri, 'crossdomain.') || 
	stripos($request_uri, 'proc/self/environ') || 
	stripos($request_uri, 'etc/passwd') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/https/') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/http/') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/ftp/') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/cgi/') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '.cgi') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '.exe') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '.sql') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '.ini') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '.dll') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '.asp') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '.jsp') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/.bash') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/.git') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/.svn') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/.tar') || 
	stripos($request_uri, ' ') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '<') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '>') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/=') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '...') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '+++') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '://') || 
	stripos($request_uri, '/&&') || 
	// query strings
	stripos($query_string, '?') || 
	stripos($query_string, ':') || 
	stripos($query_string, '[') || 
	stripos($query_string, ']') || 
	stripos($query_string, '../') || 
	stripos($query_string, '127.0.0.1') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'loopback') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%0A') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%0D') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%22') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%27') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%3C') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%3E') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%00') || 
	stripos($query_string, '%2e%2e') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'union') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'input_file') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'execute') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'mosconfig') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'environ') || 
	//stripos($query_string, 'scanner') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'path=.') || 
	stripos($query_string, 'mod=.') || 
	// user agents
	stripos($user_agent, 'binlar') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'casper') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'cmswor') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'diavol') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'dotbot') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'finder') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'flicky') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'libwww') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'nutch') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'planet') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'purebot') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'pycurl') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'skygrid') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'sucker') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'turnit') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'vikspi') || 
	stripos($user_agent, 'zmeu')
) {
	@header('HTTP/1.1 403 Forbidden');
	@header('Status: 403 Forbidden');
	@header('Connection: Close');
	@exit;
} 

Note: If this is your first time adding code snippets in WordPress, then please refer to our guide on how to properly copy / paste code snippets in WordPress, so you don’t accidentally break your site.

If you liked this code snippet, please consider checking out our other articles on the site like: 18 best WordPress comments plugins and how to create a popup form in WordPress.

Comments   Leave a Reply

  1. thanks

  2. He Kevin, is this the same stuff what Secure WordPress (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/secure-wordpress/) does, see list item 11?

  3. User levels were deprecated in WP 3.0, you should use actual capabilities or roles in your current_user_can check, e.g.
    if ( ! current_user_can( 'administrator' ) ) {

    1.  Very true Drew, ill update the snippet thanks!

  4. Can I just add this code to my functions.php plugin?

    I’d also like to see code for POST protection.

    1.  the best way to include this I find it to place it within the mu-plugins/ folder if you don’t have one you can create one. This will force the plugin to run as a must use plugin. Download the zip above that is the best way to run it,

  5. This will only protect a GET request, like index.php?name=eval(base64_decode(EVIL+CODE

    But in the WordPress Forum a lot of people are getting hacked via Post requests, and then this code will not protect.

    Do you have something similar but for POST?

Add a Comment

We're glad you have chosen to leave a comment. Please keep in mind that all comments are moderated according to our privacy policy, and all links are nofollow. Do NOT use keywords in the name field. Let's have a personal and meaningful conversation.

WordPress Launch Checklist

The Ultimate WordPress Launch Checklist

We've compiled all the essential checklist items for your next WordPress website launch into one handy ebook.
Yes, Send Me the Free eBook!