How to determine a Wordpress version remotely? - database

Question

I have numerous sites and its becoming a nuisance keeping them all up to date, so I would ideally like to compile a list where I can display the version of each website automatically. So I can see at the drop of a hat which ones needs updated and so on.
I have remote access to all off their databases, I had thought about querying the wp_options table for the DB Version but that isn't specific enough when it comes to smaller version updates as far as I am aware.
Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Here's a demo plugin
<?php
/** Plugin Name: My JSON data **/
add_filter( 'query_vars', function( $qv ){
$qv[] = 'mydata';
return $qv;
});
add_action( 'template_redirect', function(){
$input = get_query_var( 'mydata' );
$secret = 'abcdefg'; // Edit this
if( ! empty( $input ) )
{
if( $secret === $input )
{
$data = array(
'version' => $GLOBALS['wp_version'],
'foo' => 'bar',
);
wp_send_json_success( $data );
}
else
{
wp_send_json_error();
}
}
} );
where example.com/?mydata=abcdefg gives
{"success":true,"data":{"version":"3.8.1","foo":"bar"}}
and example.com/?mydata=wrong shows:
{"success":false}

Answer 2

I wouldn't recommend trying to bridge a system to check WordPress, espiecally since the WordPress core since 3.7.1 comes with this functionality.
WordPress 3.7.1+ Auto Updates, so it would be best to upgrade all your WordPress sites - this would also be a great idea for security purposes.
What you might want to consider is removing any redundant plugins and have a plan for updating those plugins every few months too.
3rd-party plugins are usually the reason a site is vulnerable, more so than the core of WordPress. Fight the fire before it becomes a fire in the first place! Use less plugins or keep on top of them.