mail() sendmail problem

[J.O.E.]

A recent cpanel update made a change to the actual cron files on my customer's server. For each user they do what is called a jailshell for the crons. The jailshell is used to confine a user to their own little bit of space on the server, a security measure, making each hosting account more self contained like a VPS would be on a dedicated server.

Well, apparently this will break the php mail() program, specifically the use of the server sendmail. The jail shell copies certain server files to a special user folder and is used by the user's crons.

Apparently, when a cron runs then, if doesn't work for some cPanel accounts while others it does, so it must not copy correctly or something is corrupt.

If there is a solution to this problem I would LOVE to hear about it.

 

[ThinIce]

If you're having problems with the new jailed cron system and can reproduce these, it's probably a good idea to submit a ticket, please then post the number here so the thread can be updated with anything that gets found

 

[ckh]

I can verify this. I spent about 3 days trying to figure out why programs that normally would send email via the cron suddenly stopped.

What made it even more confusing is that some of the cPanel accounts running the exact same script and exact same crons weren't having the problem.

It would seem that the shell isn't enabled on all the crons during the update, perhaps if a cron is added or edited.

 

[cPanelMichael]

Hello

Could you confirm if "Track email origin via X-Source email headers" is enabled under the "Mail" tab in "WHM Home » Server Configuration » Tweak Settings"? There is an open case that sounds similar to what you have described, but has not yet been reliably reproduced. For reference, the case number is 75657. I suggest opening a support ticket so we can take a closer look:

Submit A Ticket

Please post the ticket number here so we can update this thread with the outcome.

Thank you.

 

[ckh]

I checked 3 servers where I've been having the problem, two of them that option is turned off, one it is turned on.

In all cases on all servers for all php scripts that send email using crons, remarking or removing the jailshell line from the top of the cron for that user, fixes the problem immediately.

- - - Updated - - -

Ticket had already been submitted and they are investigating: 4329567

 

[cPanelMichael]

To update, we were unable to reliability reproduce this issue. If anyone else experiences the same issue, please open a support ticket and post the ticket number here so we can investigate further. Note that the use of jailshell for operations such as cron and email is by design.

Thank you.