Protecting WordPress Sites: Secure File Permissions

Why File Permissions Matter for WordPress Security

Many security breaches don’t start with a brute-force attack or malware injection. Instead, they often stem from overlooked fundamentals, like secure file permissions, that quietly expose your site to risk. If your site files are too open, attackers can exploit that to deface your content or lock you out completely.

So let’s walk you through fixing this by setting proper WordPress file permissions and securing your site at the server level, where most attacks start.

But setting the right permissions isn’t just about running a few commands. It’s about understanding who should access what, how your server handles files, and how to spot weak points before someone else does.

WordPress File Permissions Explained

File permissions are access control settings that define how files and directories can be used. They are based on three permission types:

• Read (4): Allows viewing file contents
• Write (2): Permits modifying the file
• Execute (1): Enables running scripts or programs

As you can see each permission is assigned a numeric value. These values are added together to define access for different types of users:

• 7 (4+2+1): Read, Write, and Execute
• 6 (4+2): Read and Write
• 5 (4+1): Read and Execute
• 4: Read-only
• 0: No access

Permissions are applied to three user types:

• Owner: The user who created or owns the file
• Group: A set of users who share access to the file
• Others (Public): Anyone else with access to the system

A typical permission like 644 breaks down as:

• 6 for the Owner (Read + Write)
• 4 for the Group (Read only)
• 4 for Others (Read only)

In WordPress, these settings control access to core files, themes, plugins, and sensitive configuration files.

Understanding File Ownership

File ownership defines which user has control over a file or directory. In WordPress environments, files and folders should be owned by your user account rather than the web server’s account. This helps prevent unauthorized changes from web processes.

Files must be owned by your user account, with the web server granted only read access. Folders should permit read and execute access for the web server, but write access must be restricted unless specifically needed for functionality like file uploads or caching.

Maintaining proper ownership ensures tighter control and reduces the risk of exploitation.

Default WordPress File Permissions

WordPress assigns specific file and directory permissions by default to maintain a balance between functionality and security. These settings ensure that files are accessible to WordPress while preventing unauthorized modifications.

Item	Permission	Purpose
.htaccess	644	Prevents tampering by allowing only the owner to edit it
WP files	644	Owner can write, others can only read
Directories	755	Allows WordPress to read and execute, but not modify
wp-config.php	600 or 640	Blocks unauthorized access to sensitive configuration and credentials

WordPress enforces these defaults during installation, but plugin installations or hosting configurations, or other manual changes can override them, exposing your site to attacks. Maintaining correct file permissions is a fundamental step in securing your WordPress site. Let’s see why this is important.

The Security Risks of Misconfigured File Permissions

When file permissions are misconfigured, they create serious security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to compromise your site.

One of the biggest risks is overly permissive settings, such as 777 permissions, which grant full access to everyone, including attackers. This opens the door to malware injections, defacement, and backdoors.

Another common issue is incorrect file ownership. When WordPress files aren’t owned by the right user, you risk permission errors, unauthorized file changes, and ineffective server-level security policies.

Equally critical is the protection of configuration files. If files like wp-config.php aren’t secured, attackers may gain access to database credentials, secret keys, and other sensitive data.

The Impact

Weak file permissions can lead to malware infections, SEO penalties, and loss of admin control. On shared servers, a compromised site can even be used to attack others, spreading risk beyond your environment.

Worst of all, visitor trust erodes when browsers or search engines flag your site as dangerous, leading to lost traffic and a damaged reputation.

Configuring proper file permissions and ownership is essential to WordPress security. These settings reduce your site’s attack surface and help prevent long-term damage.

Next, we’ll look at the practical steps you can take to secure them.

How You Can Secure WordPress File Permissions

To secure file permissions, you’ll need access to your server’s file system. WordPress files can be managed in two main ways:

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

SFTP lets you access and manage your site files using a graphical interface. It’s suitable for beginners or users who prefer not to work with the command line.

Popular SFTP clients are FileZilla (Windows, macOS, Linux), Cyberduck (macOS, Windows), WinSCP (Windows only), and Transmit (macOS).

Once connected, right-click any file or folder to view and change its permissions

Connection steps may vary by client, but you’ll typically need the following:

• Hostname (e.g. ftp.yoursite.com)
• Port (usually 22 for SFTP)
• Username
• Password or SSH key

Refer to your client’s documentation for exact connection instructions.

SSH (Secure Shell Access)

SSH provides direct terminal access to your server, allowing full control through command-line tools. It’s ideal for developers or users managing many files at once.

To connect via SSH, open a terminal (macOS/Linux) or use an SSH client like PuTTY (Windows).

1. Run the command: ssh your-username@your-server-ip (replace with your credentials)
2. Enter your password or provide your SSH key when prompted.

Once logged in, you can navigate your WordPress directory and run permission and ownership commands.

Both methods allow you to inspect, modify, and secure your WordPress files. The table below shows how to perform common file-related actions using each method.

File Management via SSH and SFTP

Action	SFTP (via FTP client)	SSH (via Terminal or Console)
View file permissions	Right-click file > Properties or Info	ls -l
Change file permissions	Right-click > File permissions (enter value like 644)	chmod 644 filename.php
Change directory permissions	Right-click > File permissions	chmod 755 foldername
Change ownership (if supported)	Not typically available	chown user:group filename
Recursively change permissions	Not available	find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \; (files) find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \; (folders)

Secure Critical WordPress Files

Protect sensitive files using .htaccess rules to block unauthorized access and script execution.

Block access to wp-config.php:

<FilesMatch "\.(php|php5)$">
    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>

Disable PHP execution in wp-content/uploads:

<FilesMatch "\.(php|php5)$">
    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>

Prevent execution in wp-includes:

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteBase /
    RewriteRule ^wp-includes/ - [F,L]
</IfModule>

Automate Security with Best Practices

• Monitor unexpected file modifications using security plugins.
• Use immutable file protection: Some managed WordPress hosts lock critical files (e.g., wp-config.php, .htaccess) to prevent accidental or malicious modifications.
• Apply the principle of least privilege to minimize security risks.

Troubleshooting Common Errors

Incorrect file permissions can cause various WordPress issues, from blocked access to security vulnerabilities. Below are common errors, their causes, and how to fix them.

→ 403 Forbidden Error

This error occurs when files or directories have overly restrictive permissions, preventing access. It can also be triggered by misconfigured .htaccess rules or security plugins and server settings blocking access.

To fix this set folders to 755 and files to 644

find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \; && find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

To reset .htaccess rename it to .htaccess_backup. Then regenerate a new one by going to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and clicking Save Changes.

→ 500 Internal Server Error

This error is often caused by incorrect permissions on .htaccess or wp-config.php, preventing WordPress from functioning properly. It can also happen if PHP execution is blocked due to restrictive permissions.

To fix this, ensure .htaccess is set to 644 and wp-config.php is set to 600:

chmod 644 .htaccess
chmod 600 wp-config.php

If you are using a security plugin, disable it temporarily to rule out conflicts.

→ “Permission Denied” Errors

This error occurs when files lack the necessary read or write permissions for the web server. It can also be caused by incorrect ownership settings, preventing WordPress from accessing critical files.

Check current ownership, and if ownership is incorrect, change it:

chown -R www-data:www-data /path/to/wordpress

By fixing these permission issues, you restore WordPress functionality and improve site security. If errors persist, consider using a WordPress hosting that automatically enforces secure file permissions.

Add Security Headers

Strengthen protection against unauthorized file execution by setting HTTP security headers:

• Add X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff and X-Frame-Options: DENY to further protect against unauthorized file execution.
• Add these via your web server configuration or a security plugin.

Use Security Plugins for Permission Management

Manually managing file permissions can be complex. Several WordPress security plugins help automate this process:

• iThemes Security scans and fixes incorrect file permissions.
• Wordfence detects permission misconfigurations and alerts admins.
• Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) implements strong security policies, including file permission audits.

How a Hosting Provider Can Help

A reliable WordPress hosting provider enhances file security by:

• Enforcing Secure Default Permissions. Prevents unauthorized modifications.
• Monitoring File Changes. Detects unexpected modifications.
• Blocking Execution in Sensitive Directories. Stops malware from running in /uploads/.
• Providing Secure File Ownership Controls. Ensures files are accessed by the correct user.

Pressidium’s Approach: Locking Down File Permissions the Right Way

At Pressidium, we don’t just recommend best practices. We engineer them directly into our hosting platform. File permissions are automatically secured as part of our multi-layered security strategy, so you don’t have to worry about chmod errors, ownership issues, or vulnerable config files.

Secure by Default: Hardened File Permissions

We enforce strict permission schemes out of the box:

• Files: 644
• Directories: 755
• wp-config.phplocked down to 600

This ensures that no unauthorized process or user can tamper with your WordPress core, themes, or sensitive credentials.

Real-Time File Integrity Monitoring

Our system constantly watches for unexpected file changes or permission escalations. If anything suspicious is detected, we isolate and neutralize the threat before it spreads.

Server-Level Rules That Block Exploits

We don’t rely on plugins to protect sensitive files. Instead, we apply hardened NGINX rules and Apache directives to:

• Block access to wp-config.php, .htaccess, and other config files
• Disable PHP execution in dangerous locations like /uploads/
• Restrict directory browsing and index access

Built-in WAF With File Injection Protection

Our managed Web Application Firewall (WAF) goes further by inspecting requests for malicious payloads. It applies the latest OWASP rules and is fully managed, so you get enterprise-grade security without lifting a finger.

Automatic Updates & Patch Management

We keep your WordPress core, plugins, and themes up to date with automated patching, reducing the risk of permission-related exploits caused by outdated components.

You Focus on Content. We’ll Handle Permissions.

Most WordPress site owners don’t realize that a 777 folder or a misconfigured upload directory can ruin their day. At Pressidium, we make sure those risks never happen in the first place.

By enforcing these measures, we ensure WordPress installations remain secure from file permission-related vulnerabilities and unauthorized modifications.

Try Pressidium free for 14 days and experience hands-off security.
No guesswork. No stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the safest permission setting for wp-config.php?

The safest setting is 600 or 640. This ensures that only the file owner can read or write to wp-config.php, keeping your database credentials and authentication keys protected from unauthorized access.

How do I reset WordPress file permissions to secure defaults?

You can reset permissions manually using FTP, cPanel, or SSH. If you’re using SSH, run:

find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \; && find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

This sets folders to 755 and files to 644, which are WordPress’s recommended defaults for most environments.

Why am I getting a “Permission Denied” error on my WordPress site?

This usually means your file or folder permissions are too restrictive, or file ownership is incorrect.
Make sure:

• Files are 644, folders are 755
• wp-config.php is 600
• The web server owns the WordPress files (chown -R www-data:www-data /path/to/wordpress)

Fixing these often resolves the error immediately.

What are the ideal WordPress file and directory permissions?

• Files: 644
• Directories: 755
• wp-config.php: 600 or 640
• .htaccess: 644

These permissions allow WordPress to function properly while blocking unauthorized writes and executions.

Can a hosting provider enforce secure file permissions for me?

Yes. Managed WordPress hosts like Pressidium automatically apply secure file permissions, monitor for changes, and block malicious scripts from executing in unsafe directories like /uploads/. This takes the guesswork out of permission management.