Dedicated Servers

Change PHP max_execution_time and max_input_time using .htaccess

Re: Changing max_execution_time and max_input_time in .htaccess for a single domain

Sometimes you need more time for your script or upload to complete however you want to avoid changing these setting for the entire server, so the option to change for a single domain is there when running PHP as Apache.

To change max_execution_time and max_input_time from the 60 second default add the following lines to the top of your .htaccess:

php_value max_execution_time 600
php_value max_input_time 600

The change is instantly active and affects only the virtual host in question.

Plesk: /etc/init.d/qmail: line 25: [: =: unary operator expected

Re: qmail restart error, plesk qmail error,  [: =: unary operator expected

You have installed Plesk, updated all your modules, upgrade PHP, mysql, everything looks great. Then, you realise that you have Plesk with the Postfix MTA but you want Qmail MTA – so you go ahead and select Qmail MTA in the Plesk Upgrade Manager.

Install is fine, until you try to start qmail.

[root@server ~]# service qmail restart
/etc/init.d/qmail: line 25: [: =: unary operator expected

Before you panic, check this file:

# cat /etc/sysconfig/network
HOSTNAME=server.yourhostname.com
NETWORKING=yes

If you are missing the NETWORKING line, simply insert it.

# [root@server ~]# service qmail start
Starting qmail:                                            [  OK  ]

Your qmail service is now functioning as required. Panic over 🙂

Which firewall ports need to be open for POP, POPS, IMAP, IMAPS and SMTP?

Re: Email port, ports for email, secure email ports

When troubleshooting email and mail server related problems it is wise to first check that all of your email ports are open and not being blocked by your firewall, here you can find the ports you need open for POP, POPS, IMAP, IMAPS and SMTP

  • Port 25 allows SMTP connections
  • Port 110 allows POP connections
  • Port 995 allows POPS connections
  • Port 143 allows IMAP connections
  • Port 993 allows IMAPS connections

Ensure these ports are open if you are have problems communicating with your mail server.

How to find an anonymous spammer on a Plesk server

Re: Finding Plesk Spammer, Qmail spam source, Anonymous spam

So you’ve done all the basics, looked through the maillogs and you’ve determined the spammer is sending from “anonymous” which means a vulnerable script somewhere on the server. But where? Great, so now let’s delve a little deeper to find the UID of the spammer.

1) Let’s take a look in the mail queue and read one of those spam email references:

# /var/qmail/bin/qmail-qread

remote ankush_krishna2137@yahoo.com
6 Jan 2012 09:14:53 GMT #34012584 2987 <anonymous@server.microlite8.com>

2) Now we have a message ID, let’s search for the actual message:

# find /var/qmail/queue/ -name 34012584

/var/qmail/queue/info/0/34012584
/var/qmail/queue/remote/0/34012584
/var/qmail/queue/mess/0/34012584

3) Great! Now let’s see what’s in the message to get out that all telling UID:

# cat /var/qmail/queue/mess/0/34012584

Received: (qmail 9936 invoked by uid 10820); 6 Jan 2012 09:14:50 +0000
Date: 6 Jan 2012 09:14:50 +0000
Message-ID: <20120106091450.9934.qmail@server.microliteX.com>
To: annette@recdom.wandoo.co.uk
Subject: Urgent Reply
From: Mrs.Farida Waziri <faridawaziri@hotmail.com>

4) Let’s map the UID to a domain name on the Plesk server:

# cat /etc/passwd | grep 10820

admin947932:x:10820:2523::/var/www/vhosts/thisisthespammer.com:/bin/false

5) Spammer caught 😀

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