Disable File Editing in Admin

What This Does 
 This protection disables the built-in WordPress file editor within the admin dashboard. 
 It prevents users from editing theme and plugin files directly through the WordPress interface. 
 
 Why It Matters 
 By default, WordPress allows administrators to edit PHP files directly from the dashboard. 
 If an attacker gains admin access, they can: 
 
 inject malicious code 
 modify plugin or theme files 
 create persistent backdoors 
 
 Disabling file editing removes an easy path for exploitation. 
 
 When to Apply It 
 This protection is recommended for most WordPress sites. 
 Apply it when: 
 
 your site is in production 
 you manage code through FTP, SSH, or version control 
 you want to reduce risk from compromised admin accounts 
 
 
 When Not to Apply It 
 You may choose not to apply this protection if: 
 
 you rely on the built-in editor for quick changes 
 you do not have alternative access (FTP/SSH) 
 your workflow depends on in-dashboard editing 
 
 If used, the editor should still be limited to trusted users only. 
 
 How Steel Security Applies This 
 Steel Security disables file editing by updating WordPress configuration. 
 This typically involves setting: 
 
 DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT to true 
 
 This removes access to the theme and plugin editors in the admin interface. 
 
 What to Expect After Applying 
 After applying this protection: 
 
 the Theme Editor and Plugin Editor will no longer be accessible 
 users will not be able to edit files from the dashboard 
 existing functionality of your site will remain unchanged 
 
 
 How to Verify 
 To verify the protection: 
 
 Log in to your WordPress admin 
 Navigate to Appearance → Theme File Editor 
 Navigate to Plugins → Plugin File Editor 
 
 These options should no longer be available. 
 
 How to Revert (Rollback) 
 To revert this protection: 
 
 Navigate to the hardening section in Steel Security 
 Disable the control 
 Confirm the change 
 Refresh the admin interface 
 
 The file editors will become available again. 
 
 Common Issues 
 Editor Is Missing 
 This is expected. 
 The file editing feature has been disabled for security. 
 
 Unable to Make Quick Changes 
 If you relied on the editor: 
 
 use FTP or SSH instead 
 revert the setting if necessary 
 consider updating your workflow 
 
 
 Setting Does Not Take Effect 
 
 check for conflicting definitions in wp-config.php 
 ensure the configuration is not overridden by hosting 
 
 
 Related 
 
 Disable Debug Mode 
 Safe Rollback Practices