permissions and limiting PHP file modifications

[team_dale]

We run a lot of wordpress sites and as usual, clients aren't great at updating their plugins.

What we find is that a lot of php files get modified after an exploit is - exploited, with malicious code being spidered into legitimate files, and also files being created that are 100% malicious code.

We have a way around this on non cPanel servers by just setting everything to read only for websites. However when we do this on a cPanel site, everything fails spectacularly.

On these read-only servers, we do all the plugin updates on a development box and then push to live.

Is there a way to make all the files folders (except for the uploads folder) read only on cpanel?

 

[georgeb]

You, like admin, have to control any files that are uploaded. If the user is not updating the software block access to that folder so the user will let you know they can't access their files. I recommend the CXS scanner from Configserver.

Regards

 

[cPanelMichael]

We have a way around this on non cPanel servers by just setting everything to read only for websites. However when we do this on a cPanel site, everything fails spectacularly.

Hello,

The limitation isn't necessarily with cPanel, but with Apache and the PHP handler you are using. You can read more about the permission requirements with the various PHP handlers at:

PHP Handlers - EasyApache - cPanel Documentation

Thank you.