How Hackers Abuse XML-RPC to Launch Bruteforce and DDoS Attacks

Summary

• XML-RPC (XML Remote Procedure Call) is a protocol that enables remote communication between applications, using XML to encode instructions and HTTP to transfer information.
• The protocol is frequently used by content management systems (CMS) like WordPress for remote access and third-party integration.
• Unfortunately, if not properly secured, it can also be exploited by hackers for brute-force attacks (repeatedly guessing username and password combinations until correct ones are found) and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks (where the server is flooded with traffic).
• This article explains how hackers abuse XML-RPC and how to protect your website from such attacks.
• It’s essential to perform reconnaissance on target websites and ensure that any vulnerable endpoints are secured against potential attacks.

By coffinxp

Original Article