Did PHP.ini deny exec() after PASS61's move?

robinson.jason · March 5th, 2008, 1:16 AM

I'm attempting to install a Gallery since the move to the new hardware for PASS61 killed my previous install (thankfully the gallery was mostly dispensable or else I'd be beating down support's door with new tickets).

In the middle of the install I noticed that Gallery is complaining that exec() has been disabled in the global php.ini

Unfortunately this means that ImageMagick, NetPBM, and a lot fo other very handy utilities (some essential) will not function.

Is there a local work around, or are all Gallery installs now broken on PASS61?

Any idea if an install via Fantastico will skirt that issue (not likely)?

**removed** · March 5th, 2008, 2:04 AM

Please try again now -- exec should work for you.

Styx · March 27th, 2008, 2:29 AM

I am experiencing similar difficulty on sh138. I have installed Gallery 2.2.4 via Fantastico, and then again via the install/ directory of the original gallery installation. I got a warning that the exec() function is disabled, and that applications like NetPBM or ImageMagick would not work. Gallery is not much good without thumbnail support...

Hopefully the NetPBM binaries are present and the exec() function will be enabled on sh138 so that I can get my photo gallery underway. Is there anything that I am able to do to resolve this issue?
-Styx Allum

robinson.jason · March 27th, 2008, 3:03 AM

file a support ticket and it will get fixed for you. That happened for me, although they gave me some real convoluted work around (make a local copy of php.ini and use it to override server wide settings, etc)..... but before I had a chance to put that work around into effect, things just "poof" worked again. I don't know if another admin came in and changed things or not. I don't care either because now it is working. :-)

Styx · March 28th, 2008, 2:41 AM

Thanks, Jason. I just submitted a support ticket. Hopefully, exec() will be made available soon so that Gallery can call up NetPBM and/or ImageMagick properly.

Styx · March 29th, 2008, 1:50 AM

I am saddened to have received the following response, after having fully expected to receive the features that were advertised in the plan that I purchased:

***
Hello Styx,

The exec function is disabled in the server. It is disabled for security reasons. If we enable it, intruders can easily hack the server by uploading scripts. Even if we enable it for a single account, the intruder can upload scripts to the server through that account.

Therefore I am afraid, I will not be able to proceed with your request. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Nithya
Unix Admin
SurpassHosting.com
***

The reply was cordial enough, but it doesn't address the fact that the plan I purchased claims to have Image Gallery support, and includes both Gallery and Coppermine in the Fantastico installer.
[ref: DETAILS: Shared Hosting ]
Listing those features for installation, knowing that they won't be able to run without exec()... is a bit like selling someone a car without any keys. You have it, you can look at it all you want, but it can't function. Now if only there were a way to "hotwire" Gallery to get it to run anyway, I could get what I paid for. My enthusiasm has rapidly turned to disappointment.

**MarkRH** · March 29th, 2008, 4:07 PM

You can use the GD library for image manipulation in Gallery, it's part of PHP and doesn't require exec() for it to work.

**twirp** · March 30th, 2008, 6:40 PM

You could put a custom php.ini in the directory of the script that needs it I believe...
But as they said, exec() can cause problems, and using the GD Library in PHP should be safer.

eye · March 31st, 2008, 12:54 PM

And here I was thinking of returning and getting a Reseller to host my sites (including a Gallery2 install), although I actually prefer to use the GD Library not everyone does and plenty of other hosts don't seem to have a problem with using NetPBM or ImageMagick (are you saying they are not secure ?).

You shouldn't have to start installing custom php files to get something that's supposed to work out of the box, maybe it should say 'Gallery2 works but with restrictions' !

Does this apply to shared as well as last year my testing Gallery install worked fine ?

Regards

March 5th, 2008, 1:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
robinson.jason Registered User Comfy Contributor Joined in Jun 2006 Lives in Idaho Hosted on PASS61 198 posts Gave thanks: 16 Thanked 2 times	Did PHP.ini deny exec() after PASS61's move? I'm attempting to install a Gallery since the move to the new hardware for PASS61 killed my previous install (thankfully the gallery was mostly dispensable or else I'd be beating down support's door with new tickets). In the middle of the install I noticed that Gallery is complaining that exec() has been disabled in the global php.ini Unfortunately this means that ImageMagick, NetPBM, and a lot fo other very handy utilities (some essential) will not function. Is there a local work around, or are all Gallery installs now broken on PASS61? Any idea if an install via Fantastico will skirt that issue (not likely)? __________________ pass61: Bucks Of The Northwest Chateau HOA Idaho Digital Productions Estrela Artists MyPaperCamera Last edited by robinson.jason; March 5th, 2008 at 1:18 AM.. Reason: changed title

March 5th, 2008, 2:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
removed Surpass Abuse Admin Super #1 Joined in Mar 2005 Lives in Houston, TX Hosted on NONE 7,797 posts Gave thanks: 11 Thanked 278 times	Please try again now -- exec should work for you. __________________ Unofficial IRC Channel: #surpass EFNet Unofficial = No official support. Support requests can be submitted to our helpdesk.

March 27th, 2008, 2:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Styx Registered User Fresh Surpasser Joined in Mar 2008 6 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 0 times	exec() needed for Gallery 2.2.4 I am experiencing similar difficulty on sh138. I have installed Gallery 2.2.4 via Fantastico, and then again via the install/ directory of the original gallery installation. I got a warning that the exec() function is disabled, and that applications like NetPBM or ImageMagick would not work. Gallery is not much good without thumbnail support... Hopefully the NetPBM binaries are present and the exec() function will be enabled on sh138 so that I can get my photo gallery underway. Is there anything that I am able to do to resolve this issue? -Styx Allum

March 27th, 2008, 3:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
robinson.jason Registered User Comfy Contributor Joined in Jun 2006 Lives in Idaho Hosted on PASS61 198 posts Gave thanks: 16 Thanked 2 times	file a support ticket and it will get fixed for you. That happened for me, although they gave me some real convoluted work around (make a local copy of php.ini and use it to override server wide settings, etc)..... but before I had a chance to put that work around into effect, things just "poof" worked again. I don't know if another admin came in and changed things or not. I don't care either because now it is working. :-) __________________ pass61: Bucks Of The Northwest Chateau HOA Idaho Digital Productions Estrela Artists MyPaperCamera

March 29th, 2008, 1:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Styx Registered User Fresh Surpasser Joined in Mar 2008 6 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 0 times	Batteries not included I am saddened to have received the following response, after having fully expected to receive the features that were advertised in the plan that I purchased: * Hello Styx, The exec function is disabled in the server. It is disabled for security reasons. If we enable it, intruders can easily hack the server by uploading scripts. Even if we enable it for a single account, the intruder can upload scripts to the server through that account. Therefore I am afraid, I will not be able to proceed with your request. Sorry for the inconvenience caused. Nithya Unix Admin SurpassHosting.com * The reply was cordial enough, but it doesn't address the fact that the plan I purchased claims to have Image Gallery support, and includes both Gallery and Coppermine in the Fantastico installer. [ref: DETAILS: Shared Hosting ] Listing those features for installation, knowing that they won't be able to run without exec()... is a bit like selling someone a car without any keys. You have it, you can look at it all you want, but it can't function. Now if only there were a way to "hotwire" Gallery to get it to run anyway, I could get what I paid for. My enthusiasm has rapidly turned to disappointment.

March 28th, 2008, 2:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Styx Registered User Fresh Surpasser Joined in Mar 2008 6 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 0 times	Thanks, Jason. I just submitted a support ticket. Hopefully, exec() will be made available soon so that Gallery can call up NetPBM and/or ImageMagick properly.

March 29th, 2008, 4:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
MarkRH Race Surpass Super #1 Joined in Jul 2006 Lives in Oklahoma City, OK Hosted on sh102 1,222 posts Gave thanks: 18 Thanked 86 times	You can use the GD library for image manipulation in Gallery, it's part of PHP and doesn't require exec() for it to work. __________________ SH102 : Mark Headrick - Blog - Gallery Pelicar \| Company of Valor \| Mysstie Wolfestar

March 30th, 2008, 6:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
twirp DemonicAngel Super #1 Joined in Aug 2004 Lives in Wherever The World Takes Me Hosted on Pass76 1,847 posts Gave thanks: 28 Thanked 35 times	You could put a custom php.ini in the directory of the script that needs it I believe... But as they said, exec() can cause problems, and using the GD Library in PHP should be safer. __________________ You wear Vans so high school kids will think that you can skate. He wears Vans because he can skate. TwiRp wears Vans because they were on sale. Pass76 wants Vans.

March 31st, 2008, 12:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
eye Lost in code... Fresh Surpasser Joined in Mar 2007 Lives in UK Hosted on Sh120 20 posts Gave thanks: 0 Thanked 2 times	And here I was thinking of returning and getting a Reseller to host my sites (including a Gallery2 install), although I actually prefer to use the GD Library not everyone does and plenty of other hosts don't seem to have a problem with using NetPBM or ImageMagick (are you saying they are not secure ?). You shouldn't have to start installing custom php files to get something that's supposed to work out of the box, maybe it should say 'Gallery2 works but with restrictions' ! Does this apply to shared as well as last year my testing Gallery install worked fine ? Regards __________________ http://www.opcp.co.uk Sh120

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