How to Check If Your Website or Plugins Are Using XML-RPC

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

If you’re managing a WordPress site and want to know whether xmlrpc.php is being actively used by your site or plugins, you’ll need to perform some advanced steps. Disabling xmlrpc.php can improve security, but it’s essential to ensure that this won’t break any functionality. Here’s how you can determine if XML-RPC is in use on your site.

Monitoring Server Logs for XML-RPC Requests

One of the most direct ways to check if your site is using xmlrpc.php is by monitoring your server’s access logs.

Steps to Monitor Server Logs

1. Access your server logs using cPanel, SSH, or FTP.
2. Search for entries related to xmlrpc.php within the logs.
3. Look at the HTTP request methods (POST requests are the most common for XML-RPC) and the associated IP addresses.

What to Look For

• If you observe regular or significant traffic to xmlrpc.php, particularly from known services or your own site, this could indicate active usage by a plugin or feature.

Using Plugins to Log XML-RPC Requests

WordPress offers several plugins that can log and monitor XML-RPC activity, helping you identify if any components of your site are utilizing it.

Recommended Plugin

• Query Monitor: A versatile plugin that logs various aspects of your WordPress installation, including API calls.

Steps to Use a Plugin

1. Install and activate one of the recommended plugins.
2. Navigate to the plugin’s settings or logs.
3. Monitor the logged activity related to XML-RPC over time.

What to Look For

• Frequent XML-RPC requests in the logs are a clear sign that something on your site is actively using this feature.

Temporarily Disabling XML-RPC to Test Your Site

You can temporarily disable xmlrpc.php and test your website’s functionality to see if anything breaks.

Steps to Disable XML-RPC

Disable xmlrpc.php by adding the following code to your .htaccess file:

<Files xmlrpc.php>
  Order Deny,Allow
  Deny from all
</Files>

Alternatively, use a plugin like “Disable XML-RPC-API“.

Test your site by checking key functions, particularly those related to remote publishing, mobile app connectivity, and plugin functionality.

What to Test

• Remote Publishing: If you use WordPress mobile apps, Jetpack, or other remote services, check if they still function.
• Jetpack or Similar Plugins: Features like Site Stats in Jetpack may rely on XML-RPC.
• Custom Plugins: Ensure that custom or less-known plugins don’t depend on XML-RPC.

What to Do If Something Breaks

• Re-enable xmlrpc.php and investigate which specific plugin or service is causing the issue.

Analyzing Plugin Code

If you have coding experience, you can manually check your installed plugins to see if they utilize XML-RPC.

Steps to Analyze Plugin Code

1. Use an FTP client or file manager to access your plugin files.
2. Search for keywords like xmlrpc, wp_xmlrpc_server, or IXR_Client within the codebase.

What to Look For

• If these terms appear, it’s likely that the plugin is using XML-RPC for some functionality.

Consulting Plugin Documentation or Support

If you’re unsure whether a plugin relies on XML-RPC, check the plugin’s documentation or contact the developer’s support team. They should be able to confirm whether their plugin uses XML-RPC.

Using Application Performance Monitoring Tools

Advanced tools like New Relic or other application performance monitoring (APM) services can give you insights into all the requests your WordPress site processes, including XML-RPC.

Steps to Use APM Tools

1. Set up an APM tool on your WordPress site.
2. Monitor the logs for XML-RPC-related activity.
3. Identify the source of any XML-RPC requests.

By following these methods, you can determine whether xmlrpc.php is actively used by any parts of your website, including plugins, and assess the impact of disabling it.

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FAQ

What is XML-RPC in WordPress?

XML-RPC is a protocol that allows WordPress to communicate with external applications, enabling remote publishing, mobile app connectivity, and integration with services like Jetpack.

Why should I disable XML-RPC?

Disabling XML-RPC can enhance your website’s security by preventing brute force attacks and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks that exploit this feature.

Will disabling XML-RPC break my site?

Disabling XML-RPC might affect any features or plugins that rely on it, such as remote publishing tools or certain Jetpack functionalities. It’s crucial to test your site after disabling it.

How can I re-enable XML-RPC if I disable it?

You can re-enable XML-RPC by removing the block from your .htaccess file or disabling the plugin that turned it off.

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Glossary

XML-RPC: A remote procedure call (RPC) protocol that uses XML to encode its calls and HTTP as a transport mechanism.

HTTP POST Request: A method used to send data to a server, often used in forms, uploads, and in this case, XML-RPC communications.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): A standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over a TCP-based network, such as the internet.

cPanel: A web hosting control panel software that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting a website.

.htaccess: A configuration file used on web servers running the Apache Web Server software, which can control various server settings.