TechNote

ColdFusion MX 6.1 installer changes web root owner

Issue

The Macromedia ColdFusion MX 6.1 installer on Linux changes the owner of the web root and its subdirectories during install. This can cause issues for those who use owners and permissions to subdirectories to restrict access to their websites.

While running the ColdFusion MX 6.1 installer, you are asked if you wish to configure an external webserver. If you answer yes to this question, the installer then asks for the location of the web root directory, which is used for installing the contents of the CFIDE directory. You are also asked the user name under which ColdFusion Server will run (default is "nobody").

During the installation process, the installer will change the owner of the web root directory to the user name previously specified. For most users, this behavior will not cause any problems. However, if you are using owners and permissions to restrict access to your web applications, this will cause that security mechanism to break.

This is logged as Macromedia issue 54009.

Solution

To avoid this issue, tell the installer that your web root is some arbitrary directory, and then copy the CFIDE from that directory into your true web root directory post-install.

When prompted for the web root directory, choose an arbitrary directory outside of the web root.
Complete the install process.
Copy the /CFIDE directory from the directory chosen in Step 1 to your web root directory.
Run the web connector wizard manually in order to point ColdFusion to the correct web root directory. Instructions for doing this are available on LiveDocs.