TOPIC: not working when dir 'media' is set to 755

After problems with php-code on every page (is solves - thanks - problem somewhere in the FTP-software...?) I now have upgrade to version 4.0beta1.
Using 'mydefault-emotop' and changed a bit in the CSS. To do this, I had to change the folder 'media' to 777. Joomlacomment works OK!
But, when I changed the folder 'media' back to 755, I get a blank page with error:

It will also work if folder 'media' is set to 775, but I think this is not safe. Is that right?

All directories should be set to 755 for a functional Joomla installation.

docs.joomla.org/What_are_the_recommended...ctory_permissions%3F

Just to clarify for you, a CHMOD of 0755 means read and execute access for everyone and also write access for the owner of the file. THe 'owner' here is the PHP engine itself, i.e. your Joomla processes.

The fact that you need them on 775 might suggest that your host is not running PHPSuExec, and it's running in 'group' permissions mode instead - the PHP binaries need to be run on a full 7 permission (rwx) to work usually.

Are you sure it's only JoomlaComment that's not working correctly? This is strange. Maybe the 'media' directory does indeed need to be writable by others... I know the cache directory should be 777, but not sure about media

Such a security question might be better asked at the official Joomla forums. However, Daniel will be back in a day or two and answer your question as to why JoomlaComment might need write-access to media.

EDIT: I checked the line 60 of that PHP file... try using the 'modern' template, just to see if it works. The other templates have not been updated so much and might be broken for some

Thanks JonusC for replying.
I can imagine that JoomlaComment has to have write-access to media. I have to give write access manual with CHMOD 775. So it looks that Joomla has only group-rights.
I think it has something to do with how Joomla is installed or the server (PHP settings) - as you suggested.

Where can I find info in Joomla PHP-settings about PHPSuExec?
I can not find it in Help -> System Info -> PHP information.
Directory permissions settings: all dirs unwritable and dir media writable (otherwise the site is not vissible).
My other websites (other host) has standard all dirs writable .
That is why I think it has to do with the hosting provider (or PHP settings made by them)

I will post this problem on a Joomla forum - because it is a Joomla problem.

All other Joomla functions are working on the site (as long media = 775)
I have tried the 'modern' template, I can install and it is working, as long dir media is CHMOD 775. Because I do not want to run media dir as 775, I will look for a solution.

Thanks.

You'll have to contact your webhost either via a support ticket, or in the customer forums, and ask if they run PHPSuExec so that PHP processes are run as the owner. They are probably not though as that is the exact problem that happens when PHPSuExec isn't being used. Example: HostGator have it, and I have all my directories set to 755 yet Joomla says all my directories are writeable

I think you might actually need media as well as cache and tmp to be 777 anyway....? As far as I know, the media folder is used for people to 'upload' their images/attatchments for many Joomla extensions such as when writing an article in the JCE Editor - I can't remember exactly.

Under media/ though, there should be a folder named myjosctemplates - if not, create it. Then try setting only that folder to 775 and media back to 755, see if it's any different. That folder is used for the 'Copy Template' function of the backend from memory.

Regardless, this is probably a bug in JoomlaComment that could be fixed (trying to write there even when it doesn't need to). It shouldn't need to write to the media/ folder at all from what I can see.

EDIT: It's on the forums of my webhost, a lot of it may be irrelevant but it is a great "WTF" on what PHPSuExec is. You can see this public announcement of when they installed PHPSuExec on their servers at forums.hostgator.com/phpsuexec-being-ins...vers-tips-t8822.html - you will see that they also reference the Joomla CMS in the announcement.

Thanks, I have a folder myjosctemplates and set it to 775 and media to 755.
This is not working... So media is back to 775.

I also looked at the help-pages of the hosting provider. They said (explicit) to set the folders (see under) to 777 ?!
/images
/media
/uploadfiles
/components
/languages
/modules
/templates
/administrator/backups
/administrator/components
configuration.php

Otherwise your Joomla site will not work. I think this is not safe....

They definately dont have PHPSuExec installed then because if any folder is set to **7 (even 557) it will break and crash with a 500 error, defensive purposes.

Well In that case, I suppose the solution is to leave the Media folder to 775. Or you could always change hosting providers (If you ever do I might recommend HostGator, servers located in Texas, very good quality service)