why disabling xmlrpc.php can save your wordpress site

    What Is XML-RPC In WordPress

    When I first heard about XML-RPC, it sounded like another harmless tech feature. Turns out, it’s more like an old, rusty door bolted onto your shiny WordPress castle. XML-RPC is a protocol that allows remote connections to WordPress, mainly for services like mobile apps, pingbacks, and third-party publishing tools.

    Years ago, it was useful. Today, it's mostly an unnecessary risk for most sites — and hackers know it.

    How XML-RPC Becomes A Security Risk

    XML-RPC is often exploited for:

    • Brute Force Attacks - Hackers can use the system.multicall function to attempt thousands of login attempts with one single request.
    • DDoS Attacks - Malicious actors can overload a site by sending floods of pingbacks using XML-RPC, slowing or crashing servers.
    • Data Extraction - Improperly secured sites might even leak information through XML-RPC queries.

    I once helped a client whose server bills skyrocketed because XML-RPC was being abused for a botnet DDoS attack. Disabling it would have avoided the entire mess.

    Why Most Sites No Longer Need XML-RPC

    Back in the early days of WordPress, if you wanted to blog from your phone or use desktop apps like Windows Live Writer (blast from the past, right?), XML-RPC was essential.

    Today, almost everyone uses:

    • The WordPress mobile app (which now supports REST API)
    • Web-based editors
    • Modern REST API calls

    Meaning XML-RPC is more legacy baggage than a useful tool for the majority of websites.

    Signs Your Site Is Being Targeted Through XML-RPC

    Some red flags include:

    • Sudden spikes in server load without increased traffic
    • Login attempts from unfamiliar IP addresses
    • Security plugin alerts mentioning xmlrpc.php

    If you see these, chances are XML-RPC is playing a villainous supporting role behind the scenes.

    How To Disable XML-RPC Safely

    There are several ways to disable XML-RPC without risking your site's stability:

    Method 1 Using A Security Plugin

    Most major security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, and iThemes Security offer simple toggles to disable XML-RPC with no coding required.

    I personally recommend this method if you prefer a plug-and-play solution.

    Method 2 Blocking Via .htaccess

    If you’re comfortable editing server files, add this to your .htaccess file:

    # Block WordPress xmlrpc.php requests
<Files xmlrpc.php>
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</Files>

    This completely blocks external access while leaving your WordPress admin running smoothly.

    Method 3 Disabling Via Functions.php

    If you prefer a code-based approach, add this to your theme’s functions.php file:

    add_filter('xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false');

    This disables XML-RPC functionality without server-side blocking. Lightweight but slightly less complete protection compared to .htaccess.

    What If You Actually Need XML-RPC

    Some niche cases still need XML-RPC, like older mobile apps or remote publishing setups. If that’s you, consider using:

    • Firewall rules to whitelist only your IP addresses.
    • Rate limiting to prevent mass abuse attempts.
    • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to harden logins.

    I once kept XML-RPC enabled on a legacy app integration but locked it down so hard it was like Fort Knox with Wi-Fi.

    Conclusion XML-RPC Is Often More Trouble Than It's Worth

    If you’re running a modern WordPress website, there’s a good chance you don’t need XML-RPC at all. Disabling it closes one more open window that hackers love to exploit.

    A little proactive security today saves a lot of heartache tomorrow.

    Trust me — the peace of mind is worth every second it takes to lock that door tight.