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Problem

WordPress Security Headers Missing

Understand missing WordPress security headers by checking HTTPS, CDN or server ownership, header conflicts, and realistic browser-protection impact.

WordPress security guideRun SiteCheck

Problem, cause, fix, verify

Problem

The public response is missing one or more browser security headers that may reduce protection against common client-side risks.

Audience

Site owners reviewing public security header findings.

First check

Missing headers are usually configuration gaps, not proof that a site is compromised.

Verify

After adding or tightening headers, test login, editor screens, forms, checkout, payment fields, analytics, and embedded media. Browser protections are useful only when they do not block required first-party workflows.

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Symptom

The public response is missing one or more browser security headers that may reduce protection against common client-side risks.

For: Site owners reviewing public security header findings.

Diagnosis

What to check before changing the site

Quick Diagnosis

Missing headers are usually configuration gaps, not proof that a site is compromised.

CSP Care

Content-Security-Policy can break scripts and checkout flows if copied blindly.

Header Owner

Decide whether headers belong at the CDN, web server, host control panel, security plugin, or application layer. Mixed owners often create inconsistent results between HTML, assets, redirects, and admin paths.

Test Critical Flows

After adding or tightening headers, test login, editor screens, forms, checkout, payment fields, analytics, and embedded media. Browser protections are useful only when they do not block required first-party workflows.

WordPress SecuritySeverity: LowLast reviewed: 2026-09-16

Diagnosis

Symptoms, causes, checks, and fixes

Symptoms

  • A public scanner reports missing HSTS, CSP, X-Content-Type-Options, Referrer-Policy, or related headers.
  • Headers differ between www/non-www or CDN/origin responses.

Most Common Causes

  • Headers not configured at server/CDN.
  • Plugin only adds headers for some responses.
  • Conflicting cache layer strips headers.
  • CSP not designed yet.

How To Confirm The Cause

  • Check final HTTPS response headers.
  • Compare homepage, admin, assets, and redirected URLs.
  • Identify whether CDN, server, or WordPress owns response headers.

Fixes

  • Add conservative headers at the server or CDN when possible.
  • Test CSP carefully before enforcing.
  • Keep header behavior consistent across canonical URLs.

How To Verify The Fix

  • Repeat header checks after cache purge.
  • Confirm no browser console breakage.
  • Validate important pages still load assets.

When To Contact Support

Contact hosting/CDN support when headers must be set outside WordPress.

References

Official references

MDN HTTP headers reference