Error when updating database fields: "403 forbidden"

10 posts by 8 authors in: Forums > CMS Builder
Last Post: October 21, 2015   (RSS)

By harald - March 30, 2015

I'm getting the following error message when attempting to click "Save" in the window for modifying fields in the section editor:

There was an error sending the request! (403 forbidden)

The problem has appeared recently for me and is independent of CMS Builder version (just updated to 2.64 on one website, but problem persists).

Searching the forums here, this hasn't been mentioned since 2012: http://www.interactivetools.com/forum/forum-posts.php?postNum=2216094#post2216094. I've tried adding hyphens to links (as described in that thread), but the pages load normally with e.g. "/index.php?-s".

Presumably this is due to a server security setting?

By Damon - March 31, 2015

Hi Harald,

Can you send in a Support Request with your CMSB login and FTP details (don't post those here) so I can take a closer look:
https://www.interactivetools.com/support/email_support_form.php?priority=free

Include the URL to this post in your support request:
http://www.interactivetools.com/forum/forum-posts.php?Error-when-updating-database-fields-403-forbidden-80001

Thanks!

Cheers,
Damon Edis - interactivetools.com

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

By shawn - April 8, 2015

Hi Guys

I'm having a similar issue. When I try update and save a section editor, I get the following "There was an error sending the request! (403 Forbidden)"...

Kindly advise?

By Dave - April 8, 2015

Hi Shawn, 

The likely cause is that your host is running a program called "mod_security" that tries to block malicious web requests, but sometimes gets it wrong and blocks valid ones too.

If you've renamed your admin.php to another name, try renaming it back to admin.php and see if the problem still occurs.  Mod_security doesn't apply as many restrictions to scripts named admin.php.

Next, if that doesn't work, try emailing your host, let them know you're getting 403 errors and ask if could turn off mod_security or any other scripts that may be interfering with your CMS.

Hope that helps, let me know how it goes!

Dave Edis - Senior Developer
interactivetools.com

By JeffC - May 12, 2015

Hi All

I was experiencing the same problem. In my case I wonder of the security only kicks in when x number of requests are made. I updated 10 section editors in quick succession in Chrome without any issues, then received the 403 error. I switched to Safari and updated without any issues. Not sure if this was just coincidence but it might be worth a try before emailing your host. 

Jeff

By gregThomas - May 12, 2015

When I've looked into this issue before, I've often found that the content that is being added when editing/creating a record is what causes the 403 error to trigger. For example if you have a field that contains a domain name or something that could be interpreted as a MySQL statement (eg: "Select item's from above"). 

Cheers,

Greg

Greg Thomas







PHP Programmer - interactivetools.com

By rconring - May 14, 2015

Yes, I had the same problem with Go Daddy hosting.  The problem would occur when I used info1 or info2 as a target URL for an image.  They finally fixed it but I discovered that I could get around it by dropping the http:// it would not trigger the error, so I appended it back to the address on the front end! LOL

Ron Conring
Conring Automation Services
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Software for Business and Industry Since 1987

By mizrahi - October 15, 2015

Add me to this list. The hosting company (host centric) does have mod_security enabled, and does not allow for it to be disable. I am currently running 2.14 and trying to upgrade to 2.65, but I keep getting the server errors. Glad I made a backup before trying to upgrade :)

Can anyone help out?

By Dave - October 16, 2015

Hi mizrahi, 

Sure, can you do the following: 

  • Install 2.65 in a new directory (keep it separate from your current install)
  • Email me CMS/FTP login details to dave@interactivetools.com (don't post login details to the forum)
  • Send me a link to this thread and steps to recreate the error

I can then isolate a simple test case to recreate the problem and write a message to relay to your host.  

Hope that helps!

Dave Edis - Senior Developer
interactivetools.com