Support

Admin Tools

#13771 Database Table Prefix Editor changes config.php file permissions from 0444 to 0644

Posted in ‘Admin Tools for Joomla! 4 & 5’
This is a public ticket

Everybody will be able to see its contents. Do not include usernames, passwords or any other sensitive information.

Environment Information

Joomla! version
n/a
PHP version
n/a
Admin Tools version
n/a

Latest post by nicholas on Wednesday, 10 October 2012 13:08 CDT

nemmar
Mandatory information about my setup:

Have I read the related troubleshooter articles above before posting (which pages?)? Yes
Have I searched the tickets before posting? Yes
Have I read the documentation before posting (which pages?)? Yes
Joomla! version: 2.5.7
PHP version: 5.3.15
MySQL version: 5.5.24-cll
Host: Dedicated server with Linux OS
Admin Tools version: 2.4.0

Description of my issue:
I setup a clone site of my live site to use as a test site. I have a few questions after making the adjustments to the AT Pro settings for the clone site:

1) I created a new prefix with the Database Table Prefix Editor. Do you recommend I occassionally use this for security reasons? For example, after giving site admin access to tech support should I then change the db table prefix for security reasons?
The Database Table Prefix Editor feature of AT Pro is very easy to use so I don't mind using it occassionally, but do you not recommend that if it might break some aspect of the site.

2) After running the Database Table Prefix Editor I noticed in my CPanel that the file permissions for the configuration.php file changed from 0444 to 0644. I noticed that this changed from when I had run the Permissions Configuration feature of AT Pro just before running the Database Table Prefix Editor feature. Before running the Database Table Prefix Editor I had run the Fix Permissions feature of AT Pro and my configuration.php file permissions were 0444. But after running the Database Table Prefix Editor feature I checked the Permissions Configuration settings when I noticed the change of the 0444 permissions and now the Permissions Configuration defaults have the configuration.php file permissions set to 0644.
Basically, I'm wondering if there's a reason why AT Pro changes the file permission from 0444 to 0644 in the configuration.php file and in the Permissions Configuration settings after running the Database Table Prefix Editor feature. Is that how I should leave the permissions or is it a bug in AT Pro 2.4.0

Thanks for any advice on this!

nicholas
Akeeba Staff
Manager
Please note that 0444 and 0644 are treated the same because the owner always has read/write permissions to his files unless the sticky bit is set to the containing directory. Anyway, our code does not try to change the file permissions. It simply uses file_put_contents or Joomla!'s own JFile::write to write to the files. This is what changes the file permissions.

Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos

Lead Developer and Director

🇬🇷Greek: native 🇬🇧English: excellent 🇫🇷French: basic • 🕐 My time zone is Europe / Athens
Please keep in mind my timezone and cultural differences when reading my replies. Thank you!

nicholas
Akeeba Staff
Manager
When restoring the database there is an option towards the bottom of the page reading "Use REPLACE instead of INSERT". Check it before clicking on Next. This will allow you to restore this backup.

Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos

Lead Developer and Director

🇬🇷Greek: native 🇬🇧English: excellent 🇫🇷French: basic • 🕐 My time zone is Europe / Athens
Please keep in mind my timezone and cultural differences when reading my replies. Thank you!

nemmar
Nicholas,

I am not clear on your reply answers.

1) So are you saying I should leave the Permissions Configuration setting at 0644 for the configuration.php file? Or should I change it back to 0444 like it was before and then run Fix Permissions again?
Or are you saying it does not matter and the configuration.php file permissions can be either 0444 or 0644 and it will not change the security for the site?

2) The Database Table Prefix Editor feature of AT Pro is very easy to use so I don't mind using it occassionally - But do you not recommend that if it might break some aspect of the site?

3) I am not clear on why your second reply mentions restoring a backup file. Are you referring to Akeeba Backup or Admin Tools Pro?
I think I posted this question in the Admin Tools support thread, unless I am mistaken and put it incorrectly in the Akeeba Backup section.

Thanks for any advice.

nicholas
Akeeba Staff
Manager
1. It doesn't really matter if you use 0444 or 0644. Realistically, it's not affecting your site's security.

2. It won't cause a problem unless you have too many tables (or broken tables) and a very slow server.

3. Ah, damn, wrong window! Sorry!

Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos

Lead Developer and Director

🇬🇷Greek: native 🇬🇧English: excellent 🇫🇷French: basic • 🕐 My time zone is Europe / Athens
Please keep in mind my timezone and cultural differences when reading my replies. Thank you!

Support Information

Working hours: We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm Cyprus timezone (EET / EEST). Support is provided by the same developers writing the software, all of which live in Europe. You can still file tickets outside of our working hours, but we cannot respond to them until we're back at the office.

Support policy: We would like to kindly inform you that when using our support you have already agreed to the Support Policy which is part of our Terms of Service. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us help you!