Renaming admin.php

9 posts by 5 authors in: Forums > CMS Builder
Last Post: March 15, 2015   (RSS)

By gversion - November 30, 2014

Hello,

I have just upgraded to v. 2.63 (Build 1092) and I can see that there are some custom generated security recommendations. One of the suggestions is below:

  • Rename admin.php to something unique such as admin_0457e78cb8c1a18b3abd.php

Can someone please tell me how to rename admin.php without breaking the cmsAdmin URL? I have tried renaming the file but then cmsAdmin does not load.

Thank you,

Greg

By claire - December 1, 2014

Hi Greg

You should be able to access the URL like so:

www.yoursite.com/cmsAdmin/admin_0457e78cb8c1a18b3abd.php

You only need to include the new name of the admin file at the end of the URL and it should work fine.

--------------------

Claire Ryan
interactivetools.com

Save time by getting our experts to help with your project.
http://www.interactivetools.com/consulting/

By gversion - December 1, 2014

Hi Claire,

Thanks for the reply.

Is the redirect from /cmsAdmin meant to stop working? Is that part of the security improvement? it would make sense if it is.

I was originally thinking that /cmsAdmin would redirect to the newly named admin_RANDOMCHARS.php but perhaps that would defeat the purpose of renaming the file...!

Thanks,

Greg

By claire - December 1, 2014

It would, yes :) I can check with Dave but I'm pretty sure it's a security feature. It forces the user to have the precise URL for that particular install before they're allowed access to the back end.

--------------------

Claire Ryan
interactivetools.com

Save time by getting our experts to help with your project.
http://www.interactivetools.com/consulting/

By Twocans - March 7, 2015

Hi yea,
I have tried what was mentioned but maybe I have misinterpreted things

OK This is where my admin is at present and ti works a treat.

http://123.123.123.123/~lpc/fay-cms/admin.php

Thus following your advice I go to General Settings > program url and past the following

http://123.123.123.123/~lpc/fay-cms/admin_0457e78cb8c1a18b3abd.php

I click save. I logout and try the link

http://123.123.123.123/~lpc/fay-cms/admin_0457e78cb8c1a18b3abd.php

But it takes me no where.

Can you tell me where do I include or stick the _0457e78cb8c1a18b3abd (dont be rude lol)

I have tried not changing the  General Settings > program url and then navigating to

http://123.123.123.123/~lpc/fay-cms/admin_0457e78cb8c1a18b3abd.php

but this does not work either.

regards

Kenny

By Twocans - March 9, 2015

Haha,
I feel so so stupid haha,

good morning

k

By Tom - March 14, 2015

Hello Dave,

After rename the admin.php file.

The mysql console plugin not work anymore.

Please advice.

Thanks

By Dave - March 15, 2015

Hi Tom, 

Some servers have a module called "mod_security" which urls when they contain certain character sequences.  Last time we investigated we found that mod_security doesn't block some urls that start with admin.php.  

So the solution is either don't rename admin.php or ask your host to disable mod_security for the cms folder.  And if you get strange 403 errors at various points, that's probably mod_security as well, so ask your host to disable it if that happens.

Hope that helps!

Dave Edis - Senior Developer
interactivetools.com