Password Protect Directories Software Error

[TMC]

• UNABLE TO SET/CLEAR PASSWORD PROTECTED FOLDER "/" USING CPANEL
  
  [1] Login to cPanel Main Menu and select "Password Protect Directories":
  
  Allow access only to authorized users
  
  Please select the folder you wish to protect by clicking on its name.
  Open a folder by clicking on its icon.
  
  / (Current Folder)
  cgi-bin
  images
  
  [2] Select folder name "/":
  
  >>> PROBLEM OCCURS NOW <<<
  cPanel fails to open correct display for setting password
  
  [3] Correct display should be:
  
  /home/user123/public_html/
  Directory requires a password to access via the web (you must check this to activate password protection).
  
  Protected Resource Name (will display in browser's password mask):
  
  Active Users
  
  Username:
  Password:
  
  Back to /home/user123/public_html/
  
  Thanking anyone in advance for the solution to this problem.
  
  PS: cPanel version is 9. Until recently this command has worked correctly. We know how to create .htaccess files manually but that is a "workaround" not an acceptible solution (our resold customers pay for cPanel to work correctly).