How to Block xmlrpc.php Access on DirectAdmin

Introduction

The xmlrpc.php file is used by WordPress and other applications to handle XML-RPC requests. While XML-RPC can be useful for remote publishing and API access, it can also be a vector for attacks such as brute force attacks and DDoS attacks. Blocking access to xmlrpc.php can enhance the security of your DirectAdmin-managed server. This article will guide you through the steps to block xmlrpc.php access on a DirectAdmin server.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure you have:

• Access to DirectAdmin with root or sudo privileges.
• Basic knowledge of server administration and using the command line.

Step 1: Access Your Server

Log in to your server via SSH. Use a terminal application to connect to your server:

ssh username@your-server-ip

Replace username with your actual username and your-server-ip with the IP address of your server.

Step 2: Edit the .htaccess File

To block access to xmlrpc.php for all domains on your DirectAdmin server, you need to modify the .htaccess file. This file is usually located in the root directory of each domain.

1. Navigate to the domain's root directory:

cd /home/username/domains/example.com/public_html

Replace username with the actual user account and example.com with the domain name.

2. Open or create the .htaccess file in a text editor:

nano .htaccess

3. Add the following lines to block access to xmlrpc.php:

# Block access to xmlrpc.php
<Files xmlrpc.php>
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</Files>

4. Save the file and exit the editor. In nano, you can save by pressing CTRL + O and exit by pressing CTRL + X.

Step 3: Apply the Changes Server-Wide (Optional)

If you want to block xmlrpc.php access across all domains on your server, you can make changes to the global Apache configuration or add rules to a global .htaccess file. This typically involves modifying Apache's main configuration files, which requires caution.

1. Open the global .htaccess file, if it exists, or create a new one:

nano /usr/local/directadmin/data/users/username/domains/.htaccess

2. Add the same block as above to this file:

# Block access to xmlrpc.php
<Files xmlrpc.php>
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</Files>

3. Save the file and exit the editor.

Step 4: Restart Apache

To ensure the changes take effect, restart the Apache service:

sudo service httpd restart

Or, if you use a different version of Apache:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 5: Verify the Changes

To verify that xmlrpc.php is blocked, try accessing http://yourdomain.com/xmlrpc.php in a web browser. You should see a 403 Forbidden error.

Conclusion

Blocking access to xmlrpc.php is a simple yet effective way to enhance the security of your DirectAdmin-managed server. By following these steps, you have restricted access to this file, reducing the risk of potential attacks. Remember to periodically review your security settings and adjust them as necessary to protect your server.