Why We’re Moving to Random 8-Byte IDs for WLP Plugins and Themes

December 29, 2024

In ClassicPress and WordPress, plugins are fundamental to extending a site’s functionality. Traditionally, plugin identifiers were simple human-readable slugs, which worked well when WordPress relied on a single centralized plugin repository. However, as WhiteLabelPress (WLP) evolves to support multiple plugin repositories, managing plugin identifiers becomes more complex. To address this, we are moving toward using random 8-byte IDs for plugins. This shift not only improves security and scalability but also offers more flexibility as we expand the ecosystem. Here’s why this new approach makes sense for WLP.

A Brief History of Plugin Slugs

For years, WordPress plugins were identified by slugs—human-readable names, like wordpress-seo or contact-form, that were also part of the URL. This system was effective as long as WordPress relied on one centralized plugin repository. With a single source for plugins, slugs were relatively easy to manage. However, this approach becomes less scalable as we begin supporting multiple plugin repositories, which may contain plugins with the same name but from different developers.

Moreover, slugs often revealed too much about a plugin’s functionality, which could be exploited for malicious purposes. For example, a slug like contact-form or social-sharing made it easy for attackers to deduce which plugins were installed on a site.

Traditional Plugin Slugs vs. New Random 8-Byte IDs

To illustrate the difference between the old and new systems, let’s consider an example:

Traditional Slug:

In the traditional WordPress system, a plugin might be identified by a slug like:

This slug would be used to reference the plugin both in the URL and its path. While the slug is descriptive, it also exposes the plugin’s purpose. It’s easy for both users and attackers to recognize, which can create security risks.

New Random 8-Byte ID:

With WhiteLabelPress (WLP), we’re moving to random 8-byte IDs for plugin identification. For example:

The random 8-byte ID, like a81be48fd194858a, is unique to the plugin but does not reveal any information about its functionality. This makes the system more secure and scalable, especially as WLP expands to support plugins from multiple repositories.

Key Benefits of Moving to Random 8-Byte IDs in WhiteLabelPress (WLP)

  1. Handling Multiple Repositories
    With the move to multiple plugin repositories, slugs no longer suffice because plugins with identical names (e.g., seo-optimizer) may exist in different repositories. Random 8-byte IDs allow WhiteLabelPress (WLP) to support multiple plugins with the same name or slug across different sources, all while maintaining unique identifiers for each.
  2. Enhanced Security and Obfuscation
    Random 8-byte IDs offer a significant boost to security. Unlike slugs that expose the plugin’s purpose, random IDs like a81be48fd194858a hide the identity of the plugin. This makes it harder for attackers to identify and target specific plugins, reducing security risks.
  3. Scalability and Flexibility
    As WLP expands to support more repositories and plugins, random IDs are compact, efficient, and easy to scale. Since the IDs are fixed-length and numeric (or hexadecimal), they are perfect for database indexing and quick lookups, making the system more efficient as it grows.
  4. Reduced Cognitive Load
    Shifting to random 8-byte IDs means developers no longer have to deal with potentially confusing or conflicting slugs. Instead, the focus can remain on the functionality of the plugin, and the system becomes much easier to manage, reducing human error.
  5. A Modern, Developer-Friendly Approach
    Using random 8-byte IDs aligns with modern development practices. Many distributed systems and APIs rely on random, unique identifiers to ensure consistency and security. Adopting this method in WLP ensures we’re using a forward-thinking approach to plugin management.

Conclusion

The shift to random 8-byte IDs in WhiteLabelPress (WLP) is an essential step forward as we transition to supporting multiple plugin repositories. It resolves potential conflicts, enhances security, and allows for greater scalability, especially as plugins from different sources coexist. With random IDs, we maintain unique identifiers for each plugin, regardless of its name or repository, ensuring a modern, secure, and efficient plugin ecosystem for WordPress sites. This change not only aligns with modern software development practices but also future-proofs WLP as we continue to grow.

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Neil

Lead dev @ WLP (WhiteLabelPress)

For Business Inquiries | neil@every.yoga