Symbolic Links are kicking my butt!

[Donny Bahama]

Please help! I'm losing my mind on this!!!

Here's my code for creating a symlink:

PHP: Select all

$symlink = "smokescreen/abcd12345678.wma";
$truelink = "uber/top/secret/dir/007/19571083.wma";
symlink($truelink, $symlink);
echo "<a href='$symlink'>sym link</a><br>";
echo "<a href='$truelink'>true link</a>"; 

When I load that file, the true link works, but the sym link gives me a 404. When I ftp into the smokescreen directory, I can see that the symlink is there. Smokescreen dir and all files in it are set to "777". Not sure what the permissions are for top secret dir, but the true link works, so...?
Symlinks are there... Target files are there... Path is correct in href... Seems like everything should work...!?!?

If it helps solve the mystery, this code (for cleaning up symlinks) doesn't work, either. (The symlinks don't get deleted.)

PHP: Select all

$symdir = "smokescreen/";
$d = dir($symdir); 
while($file = $d->read()) {
    if ($file!= "." && $file!= "..") {
    unlink($file);
    }
$d->close();
} 

Is there some trick to using symlinks that only "made guys" know about?!

[grahame]

What are your Apache options set to in httpd.conf? Have you set SymLinksIfOwnerMatch or FollowSymLinks on, or set All?

See the Options directive under http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.0/mod/core.html for a full description.

[Donny Bahama]

I don't think I have access to any of that. (Hosting via 1and1.com.)

The good news is, I switched to hard links and now everything is working. Still curious about why link() works, but symlink() doesn't, though.

Thanks for the response, grahame!

[grahame]

There is a security issue with Symlinks which can provide a route through which unexpected areas of the computer's file systems can be served when adminstered by a web admin whos' unaware. Hard links aren't as flexible in how they graft different parts of the file system. On 1and1, the bigger accounts / setups (e.g. dedicated servers) do give you control, but I don't thinks the basic one do.

[masonbarge]

Donny - What OS does your server use?

[Donny Bahama]

Originally Posted by masonbarge

Donny - What OS does your server use?

It's some flavor of Linux, not sure which distro or version. My account doesn't include shell access, so I suppose I'd have to inquire of their support department. In light of recent (horrific) experiences with them, it would not be worth the headache to do so.