How to fix server version on OpenCart

Steps for OpenCart

1. OpenCart is self-hosted; apply the fix at the web server and PHP layer.
2. On Apache: edit .htaccess in the OpenCart root — add `Header unset X-Powered-By` and `ServerSignature Off`. Request `ServerTokens Prod` from your host.
3. On Nginx: add `server_tokens off;` in nginx.conf or site block.
4. Set `expose_php = Off` in php.ini.
5. Verify the change with browser DevTools after restarting the server.

# Apache (httpd.conf or .htaccess)
ServerTokens Prod
ServerSignature Off
Header unset X-Powered-By

# Nginx (nginx.conf — inside http{} or server{} block)
server_tokens off;
# (requires headers_more module for full removal:)
more_clear_headers 'Server';
more_clear_headers 'X-Powered-By';

# PHP (php.ini)
expose_php = Off

# Next.js (next.config.js)
module.exports = { poweredByHeader: false }

What is server version?

Every time a visitor's browser (or a bot) loads a page on your store, your web server sends back a set of invisible "response headers." One of these is the `Server` header, and by default most web servers announce themselves with their exact name and version number — for example, `Server: Microsoft-IIS/10.0` or `Server: Apache/2.4.51`. A related header, `X-Powered-By`, can also reveal the scripting language or framework version (e.g., `X-Powered-By: PHP/8.1.2`). Together these are called "server version disclosure" or "banner grabbing." Neither header has any meaningful purpose for shoppers — they exist purely as leftover defaults.

Advertising your exact server software and version is like posting a sign on your shop door listing every lock brand and model you use. Automated attack tools (bots) continuously scan the internet for sites running specific software versions with known vulnerabilities. When your version is visible, your store becomes an easy target: attackers can instantly match your version against published vulnerability databases (CVE lists) and launch targeted exploits — without any guesswork. Suppressing these headers does not make your server invulnerable, but it removes you from the easiest tier of automated attack campaigns. It also demonstrates security hygiene to enterprise buyers and payment-card auditors (PCI DSS Requirement 2.2.7 addresses unnecessary information disclosure), reducing compliance friction.

See the complete Server version guide for every platform and the full background.