WordPress Security Tips from Dre Armeda

WORDPRESS
THE LOCKDOWN
People, Process, Technology

Dre Armeda - @dremeda

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

APRIL 25, 2012

DRE ARMEDA, CISSP
& I love tacos!

Hi. I’m Dre Armeda. I'm a Harley enthusiast, and a
Chargers fan. I wear many hats, and love tacos. I'm
infatuated with WordPress, web design, and web
security. I work at Sucuri Security. I hope to help
make the web a safer place!

CEO, Co-Founder – Sucuri Security

Read my random nonsense at dre.im
Co-Host WP Late Night - Google “I love tacos” to find Dre
http://wpcandy.com/category/broadcasts/wp-late-night

Dre Armeda - @dremeda #wpsecuritytips

THE
FOUNDATION
Why we’re here!


THE FOUNDATION
What is going on?

The web is growing! No seriously :)

+ Over 2 Billion internet users today.
480% growth in the last 11 years
(Internet World Stats)

+ 300 million websites were added to
the internet in 2011 (Pingdom)
+ 100,000+ domains gained weekly
(Global Domain Registry)


INNOVATION & CREATIVITY
Sparked!


THE WAY WE PUBLISH
WordPress


THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE
Twitter


THE WAY WE PUBLISH
Facebook


OH RICKY
Ouch!


IT’S NOT ALL PEACHY
With good, there is bad!


OPPORTUNITY
ScamWOW


WHAT IS MALWARE?
The bad stuff :/

Malware, short for malicious software, is a software
designed to disrupt computer operation, gather
sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access
to computer systems.

+ SEO spam, JavaScript & iFrame attacks, and malicious
redirects are a couple web-based malware examples.

Dre’s Definition: THE YUCK!


HOW & WHY?
Not me, I sell cookie dough online!


WHAT ITS ABOUT
It’s not you.


ATTACKERS LOVE YOU
And your data!

Malware, short for malicious software, is a software
designed to disrupt computer operation, gather
sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access
to computer systems.

+ Monitor your web browsing and internet usage ($$$)
+ Force Advertising ($$$)
+ Redirect affiliate marketing revenue ($$$)


HOW BAD IS IT?
If I’m asking, it’s not good.

+ Over 2 million new malware strings monthly (McAfee)
+ Cost to US consumers alone = over $2.3 billion in 2010.
(Consumer Reports)
+ Google Safe Browsing issues over 3 million malware
warnings a day. (Google)


http://sucuri.net/april-quick-sale


THE
SCOOP
What are they doing to my website?


ENCODED JAVASCRIPT
Dynamic Yuck!

JavaScript that is obfuscated (hidden) so that you can’t tell
what it is. It is injected into files/pages on the site and used to
serve malware.

Impact: Website pages may be used to serve malicious
downloads to visitors. Downloads may be used to infect
desktop computers, and/or exploit FTP info.

Typical Entry Point: Outdated, known vulnerable software;
exploited desktop computers; exploited FTP credentials.


ENCODED JAVASCRIPT
Dynamic Yuck!

/wp-admin/js/cat.js - Clean


ENCODED JAVASCRIPT
Dynamic Yuck!

/wp-admin/js/cat.js - INFECTED


ENCODED JAVASCRIPT
Dynamic Yuck!

/wp-admin/js/cat.js - INFECTION DECODED - Somewhat :)


ENCODED JAVASCRIPT
Dynamic Yuck!

How it works:
1. Attacker scans for known vulnerable software (Old
WordPress installations, plugins, themes). May also start
with exploited desktop which steals FTP information.
2. Backdoor file inserted into the environment. This gives
the attacker remote access into your world
3. Payload inserted into various Javascript files and/or
encoded and hidden in theme, plugin files.
4. You’ve just enabled your visitors to load fake anti-virus
and other cool downloads from your site 


CONDITIONAL REDIRECTS
Why is this site in Russian?

An attack that causes a website to redirect to a malicious
website based on referrer, web browser, operating system.

Impact: When traffic is coming from a specific referrer (i.e.
Google, Bing), the site is redirected to a malicious website.

Typical Entry Point: Outdated, known vulnerable software.



Infected .htaccess file:



Result of conditional redirect:

Dre Armeda -- @dremeda
Dre Armeda @dremeda #wpsecuritytips


How it works:
WordPress installations, plugins, themes).
3. .htaccess file entries are created to load redirected.
Encoded redirect code can also be added to index files.
4. You’re now redirecting to some cool malware
awesomeness.


PHARMA HACK
Viva Viagra!

Pharma Hack is a type of SEO poisoning. Attackers
manipulate their search engine results to make their links
appear higher than legitimate results.

Impact: Website page and post titles, descriptions and links
are changed to display pharmaceutical ads and links back to
malicious websites on search engine result pages.

Typical Entry Point: Outdated, known vulnerable software.


PHARMA HACK
Viva Viagra!

Results of scanning rendered source.:


PHARMA HACK
Viva Viagra!

Google Search Engine Results:


PHARMA HACK
Viva Viagra!

How it works:
WordPress installations, plugins, themes)
3. Control file is inserted into core application or plugin files.
This file acts as a connection from the backdoor to the
database.
4. Payload is dropped into the database and Viva Viagra!

QUICK TIP: Check Google to see if you’re infected:
site:{yourdomain.com} viagra <--Substitute your favorite pills


RISK
REDUCTION
It Starts with you!


WHAT IS SECURITY?
Different people, different meanings.

Protecting things of value
from harm’s way.


IS MY SITE SECURE?
Is any site?

The percentage of risk can never be 0!

Key objective: Minimize risk


IT STARTS WITH YOU!
Always think ahead

Before you show the world
your awesomeness, think
long term.

An integrated approach to
security, beginning to end,
will help protect your
investment, and your visitor
safety.

Information security is
everyone’s responsibility


ARE YOU SECURE LOCALLY?
My machine is my castle!

Think of your local environment as if it was a medieval castle and you’re
the queen or king. You & your queen/kingdom must be protected.

Keep your computer up to date
+ Ensure you’re patching or installing
updates ASAP
+ Automatic updates rock!

Install an anti-virus solution
+ Ensure you’re keeping definitions
current
+ Automatic updates aren’t a bad idea here
either!

Yes, personal firewalls still apply!


CONNECTING SECURELY?
Who’s watching?

It’s your information, but who’s watching & listening? You may be a
network geek at home, but what happens at Starbucks?

Your Internet Connection
Use SSL whenever possible, especially on an unverified connection.
+ HTTPS - great way to ensure transactions & traffic are traveling with
security in mind.

Connecting To Your Site(s)
Consider using sFTP/SSH vs. FTP
+ Still widely marketed, but did you know your credentials are passed
unencrypted when using FTP
+ If FTP is unavoidable, deny anonymous login, limit connections,
practice least privilege
+ Don’t store your credentials in your FTP client.


WHERE YOU VISIT
This place sells fake anti-virus

Just because your website is super ninja like doesn’t mean others are too.
Most desktop viruses and malware these days are passed via infected
websites.

Safe Browsing
+ Use NoScript extension for
Firefox

+ It’s OK to be skeptical. Not
sure, ask questions!

+ Disable pop-ups


HERE’S MY PASSWORD
It’s password

Passwords are like toothbrushes, you should keep them to yourself. And
discard them, and get a new one, if they have been used by others.

Password Management
+ Change passwords often

+ Don’t share your passwords

+ Avoid writing passwords down

+ Use a password manager

+ KeePass Password Safe
+ LastPass
+ 1Password
ZoneAlarm by Check Point


WHAT’S A PASSPHRASE
It’s password

Good passwords are great, great passphrase’s
are awesome
+ Longer than traditional passwords
+ Hard to exploit
+ Easy to remember with all the added security goodness

F0urScore&7YearsAgo


WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Choose wisely!

At the end of the day, hosting providers market the world. You in turn,
should have opportunity to know how they’re going to protect you.
Your Lovely Host
Cheap doesn’t always mean best, or
safest!
+ How many sites on their network are
blacklisted or infected w/ malware?
+ What versions of software do they run
and how often do they update?

+ How are account credentials stored &
who has access.

+ Do they have published security
practices?
Use Google Tools to check your host:
http://www.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=hostingcompanywebsite.com


WORDPRESS
SECURITY TIPS
Things to think about


UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE


UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!
Then update again

Keep WordPress Updated! All WordPress instances on your server.

Quick Tips for Successful Updates

+ Don’t edit WordPress core

+ Research your plugins &
themes before deployment

+ Use child themes

+ Don’t test hot

+ Read Reviews

Minor WordPress versions ( ie 3.3.x ) do NOT add new features. They contain
bug fixes and security patches


YES, PLUGINS TOO!
Why should I?

Update Those Plugins!
The plugin Changelog tab
makes it very easy to view
what has changed in a new
plugin version

Also viewable in the plugin
installer in your wp-admin area


USE & REMOVE
Rule of TimThumb!

Just because a plugin is not enabled in WordPress does not mean you’re not
at risk! Same thing applies to plugins and of course old instances of
WordPress or any other software for that matter!

There’s nothing worse than leaving it there, forgetting
about it, then getting infected through something that you
don’t even need.

IF IT’S NOT IN USE REMOVE IT FROM THE SERVER!


CHANGE DB TABLE PREFIX
Won’t solve world hunger, but why not?

1. WordPress installer allows you to specify new prefix during install
2. Or, BEFORE installing, you can change the prefix manually in wp-config.php:

/**
* 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 = ‘tacos_';

All database tables will now have a unique prefix (ie tacos_posts)


KEEPING SECRETS
Ah come on

Some secrets should remain secrets


USE SECRET KEYS
Yes it’s a bit obscure

A secret key is a hashing salt which makes your site harder to hack by
adding random elements to the password.

1. Edit wp-config.php

BEFORE AFTER
define('AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('AUTH_KEY', '*8`:Balq!`,-j.JTl~sP%&>@ON,t(}S6)IG|nG1JIfY(,y=][-3$!N6be]-af|BD');
define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'q+i-|3S~d?];6$[$!ZOXbw6c]0 !k/,UxOod>fqV!sWCkvBihF2#hI=CDt_}WaH1');
here'); define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'D/QoRf{=&OC=CrT/^Zq}M9MPT&49^O}G+m2L{ItpX_jh(-I&-?pkeC_SaF0nw;m+');
define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'put your unique phrase define('NONCE_KEY', 'oJo8C&sc+ C7Yc,W1v o5}.FR,Zk!J<]vaCa%2D9nj8otj5z8UnJ_q.Q!hgpQ*-H');
here'); define('AUTH_SALT', 'r>O/;U|xg~I5v.u(Nq+JMfYHk.*[p8!baAsb1DKa8.0}q/@V5snU1hV2eR!|whmt');
define('NONCE_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('SECURE_AUTH_SALT', '3s1|cIj d7y<?]Z1n# i1^FQ *L(Kax)Y%r(mp[DUX.1a3!jv(;P_H6Q7|y.!7|-');
define('AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here'); define('LOGGED_IN_SALT', '`@>+QdZhD!|AKk09*mr~-F]/F39Sxjl31FX8uw+wxUYI;U{NWx|y|+bKJ*4`uF`*');
define('SECURE_AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase define('NONCE_SALT', 'O+#iqcPw#]O4TcC%Kz_DAf:mK!Zy@Zt*Kmm^C25U|T!|?ldOf/l1TZ6Tw$9y[M/6');
here');
define('LOGGED_IN_SALT', 'put your unique phrase
here');
define('NONCE_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');

Some secrets should remain secrets
2. Visit this URL to get your secret keys: https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt


COMMENCE LOCKDOWN
Teh SSL’s

Add the code below to wp-config.php to force SSL (https) on login
define('FORCE_SSL_LOGIN', true);

Add the code below to wp-config.php to force SSL (https) on all admin pages

define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);

Using SSL (https) on all admin screens in WordPress will encrypt all
data transmitted with the same encryption as online shopping

https://codex.wordpress.org/Administration_Over_SSL


LIMIT ACCESS
Them, that, there IP’s

1. Create an .htaccess file in your wp-admin directory
2. Add the following lines of code:

AuthUserFile /dev/null
AuthGroupFile /dev/null
AuthName "Access Control"
AuthType Basic
order deny,allow
deny from all
#IP address to Whitelist
allow from 67.123.83.59
allow from 123.123.123.123

Only a user with the IP 67.123.83.59 or 123.123.123.123 can access wp-admin


USE TRUSTED SOURCES
Shirley you can’t be serious?

Is this happening on your site?

Themes can include base64() encoded text links to promote various services

http://wpmu.org/why-you-should-never-search-for-free-wordpress-themes-in-google-or-anywhere-
else/


USE TRUSTED SOURCES
So many choices

Trusted Sources for Free WordPress Themes
WordPress.org Theme Directory
+ http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
WooThemes
+ http://www.woothemes.com/themes/free/
Themelab
+ http://www.themelab.com/free-wordpress-themes
Theme Hybrid
+ http://themehybrid.com/
ThemeShaper(Thematic)
+ http://themeshaper.com
Graph Paper Press
+ http://graphpaperpress.com/themes/

More themes: http://wpmu.org/when-is-a-free-wordpress-theme-really-free-some-thoughts-and-some-places-to-find-
them/


REALLY SECURE
Doh!

Yes, it happens. #FAIL


HOW DO YOU LOGIN?
With a keyboard dummy


DON’T BE HOOD YO!
I got nothing!


HALFWAY THERE…
Livin’ on a prayer

Knowing your
username is
half the battle.

Don't make it
easy on the
hackers.


NO MORE ADMIN USER
Good bye old man

Change the admin username in MySQL:

UPDATE wp_users SET user_login='hulkster' WHERE user_login='admin';

Or create a new account with administrator privileges.

1. Create a new account. Make the username very unique
2. Assign account to Administrator role
3. Log out and log back in with new account

4. Delete admin account

WordPress will allow you to
reassign all content written
by admin to an account of
your choice.


OH BABY!
Wouldn’t you know it

WordPress 3.0 lets you
set
the administrator
username during the
installation process!

DON'T USE ADMIN!


PERMISSIONS
Say no to 777

What folder permissions should you use?

Good Rule of Thumb:
•
Files should be set to 644
•
Folders should be set to 755

Better Rule of Thumb:
Set permissions to the lowest that still work.

Start with the default settings above
If your host requires 777…SWITCH HOSTS!


CHANGING PERMISSIONS
Choose wisely!

Or via SSH with the following commands

find [your path here] -type d -exec chmod 755 {} ;
find [your path here] -type f -exec chmod 644 {} ;


YOU’RE NOT ALONE
You Can Do It!


SUCURI WORDPRESS PLUGIN
Lots of Goodies

+ Web Application Firewall (Sucuri WAF) – Adds firewall capabilities that connect to Sucuri’s
Signature Network. Sucuri’s network has thousands of signatures that block known malicious
websites from accessing your WordPress install.

+ 1-Click Hardening - Upgrade WordPress, remove WP version, and block PHP from being
inserted into your uploads directory all with the click of a button. Much more included.

+ Sucuri SiteCheck - Scan your WordPress install using Sucuri’s SiteCheck malware scanner
from your WP dashboard.

+ WordPress Audit Logs – The plugin logs all WordPress activity. You’ll know when a post is
created or deleted, failed and successful login attempts, even if a core file is changed.

+ Whitelist/Blacklist – You can now whitelist IP addresses to allow access to your admin area.
The plugin will blacklist any IP after multiple failed attempts. It’s all at your control!

http://sucuri.net/wordpress-security-monitoring


WEBDEVSTUDIOS
THE WordPress Development Shop

http://webdevstudios.com


SECURITY PLUGINS
Hot digity

+ Sucuri WordPress Security - http://sucuri.net/wordpress-security-monitoring

+ 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/

+ ASkApache - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/askapache-password-protect/

+ BulletProof Security - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/bulletproof-security/

+ Secure WordPress - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/secure-wordpress/


BACKUP PLUGINS
Start now if you haven’t already

+ BackupBuddy – http://pluginbuddy.com/purchase/backupbuddy/

+ VaultPress - http://vaultpress.com/

+ WP Time Machine – http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-time-
machine/

+ WP-DB Backup – http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-db-backup/


WEBSITE SCANNING TOOLS
Are you serving malware?

Malware Scanning Tools

+ Sucuri.net – http://sucuri.net/

+ Unmask Parasites - http://unmaskparasites.com/

Malware Removal

+ Sucuri.net- http//sucuri.net

+ VaultPress – http://vaultpress.com/


RESOURCES
Good reading

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://blog.sucuri.net/2010/11/yet-another-wordpress-security-post-part-one.html
• http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/04/ask-sucuri-what-should-i-know-when-engaging-a-
web-malware-company.html
• http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/03/wordpress-understanding-its-true-vulnerability.html
• http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/03/a-little-tale-about-website-cross-contamination.html
• http://www.studiopress.com/tips/wordpress-site-security.htm


THANKS FOR
COMING
See you soon
Dre Armeda, CISSP
@dremeda

Sucuri.net


WordPress Security Tips from Dre Armeda

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to WordPress Security Tips from Dre Armeda

Similar to WordPress Security Tips from Dre Armeda (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

WordPress Security Tips from Dre Armeda