Application assessment
Just as we've done with other applications, when we come across a WordPress or CMS instance, we have to do some reconnaissance: look for low-hanging fruit and try to understand what we're up against. There are a few tools to get us going and we will look at a common scenario where they can help us to identify issues and exploit them.
WPScan
The first thing attackers reach for when they encounter a WordPress CMS application is usually WPScan. It is a well-built and frequently updated tool used to discover vulnerabilities and even guess credentials.
WPScan has many useful features, including the following:
- Plugin and theme enumeration:
- Passive and active discovery
- Username enumeration
- Credential brute-forcing
- Vulnerability scanning
A useful feature for assessments is the ability to pass all of its requests through a proxy, such as a local Burp Suite instance. This allows us to see the attack live and replay some of the payloads. During an engagement, this...
