Messed up permissions prevent WP and plugin updates

  • Resolved Stonefred

    (@stonefred)


    10 years, 3 months ago

    A few months ago, I accidentally messed up the user and group settings as well as the permissions for all files and folders in my WordPress installation. The Wordress installation was performed by Plesk 10.

    I was able to restore public web access by setting the file and folder permissions according to another WordPress installation, I’m administering. However, I am unable to apply updates to WordPress or Plugins. The error message I get is:

    “The update cannot be installed because we will be unable to copy some files. This is usually due to inconsistent file permissions.: wp-includes/version.php”.

    I have already tried to set the permissions of this file to 777, but I still get the same message. All the other files and folders have the exact same permissions as my other still functioning WordPress installation. Is there anything I can do besides reinstalling?

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Pioneer Web Design

    (@swansonphotos)

    10 years, 3 months ago

    I have already tried to set the permissions of this file to 777

    Setting any file or folder permissions to 777 is a huge security issue. Please contact host and fix the install to default permissions.

    Thread Starter Stonefred

    (@stonefred)

    10 years, 3 months ago

    I am aware of this security issue and have set these permissions only temporarily for testing purposes. There is no one else to contact since I am hosting this WordPress blog on my personal web server.

    Pioneer Web Design

    (@swansonphotos)

    10 years, 3 months ago

    That makes you the host and the issue therefore is not less mitigated but likely more severe. There is not one reason to allow public write access to a WordPress installation, ever.

    Thread Starter Stonefred

    (@stonefred)

    10 years, 3 months ago

    I have found a solution. I followed the official guide for file permissions (http://codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress#File_Permissions) and set the ownership for all files and folders to <user>:psacln. The Plesk installation sets the ownership of some files to www-data:www-data.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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