Securing the WordPress REST API developer endpoint is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and potential security vulnerabilities. The developer endpoint in the WordPress REST API is typically used for debugging and development purposes, and it’s important to restrict access to it in a production environment.
Here are some steps you can take to secure the WordPress REST API developer endpoint:
Disable the Debugging Mode
Ensure that the WordPress site is not in debugging mode (WP_DEBUG is set to true). Debugging mode can expose sensitive information and should be turned off in a production environment.
In your wp-config.php file, set the following:
define('WP_DEBUG', false);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
Limit Access with Authentication
By default, the developer endpoint does not require authentication. You can implement authentication to restrict access.
Use Application Passwords: WordPress supports application passwords for authentication. You can generate an application password for a specific user and use it to authenticate requests to the REST API.
add_filter( 'wp_is_application_passwords_available', '__return_true' );
Use OAuth 1.0a: Implement OAuth 1.0a authentication for more secure access. You might need a plugin like the “Application Passwords” or “OAuth 1.0a Server” to enable these features.
JWT based Authentication
By default, WordPress REST API provides access control similar to the WordPress admin panel. Public content is accessible anonymously, while private content requires authentication. You can use plugins like JWT Authentication for WP REST API to implement JWT based authentication for the API.
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