The 404 error you’re encountering suggests that your Apache server cannot find the requested files or directories, rather than an issue with the scripts themselves (like a Perl or PHP version mismatch). Let’s systematically address the problem based on your setup:
1. Verify the DocumentRoot Path
The DocumentRoot you specified is:
DocumentRoot /home/theuser/public_html/testrbs
Ensure the directory /home/theuser/public_html/testrbs exists and contains the appropriate files, particularly index.cgi, index.html, or other index files listed in your DirectoryIndex.
Run the following command to check:
ls -la /home/theuser/public_html/testrbs
If the directory doesn’t exist or is incorrect, update the DocumentRoot to point to the actual directory where your website files are stored.
2. Verify the Reverse Proxy Setup
You mentioned the site is behind a reverse proxy pointing to 333.333.333.333/test. Confirm that:
- The proxy server is correctly configured and forwarding requests to your backend server.
- Apache on the backend server is serving files from
/home/theuser/public_html/testrbs.
If your reverse proxy is not correctly routing requests, you may need to update its configuration.
3. Check File and Directory Permissions
Ensure Apache has read and execute permissions for the files and directories. Run the following commands to set appropriate permissions:
sudo chown -R theuser:theuser /home/theuser/public_html/testrbs
sudo chmod -R 755 /home/theuser/public_html/testrbs
Additionally, verify that Apache can access the parent directories (/home and /home/theuser). If necessary, add execute permissions:
sudo chmod o+x /home /home/theuser
4. Confirm the ScriptAlias Directive
You have the following configuration for CGI scripts:
ScriptAlias /cgi-bin/ /home/theuser/public_html/test/cgi-bin
Ensure the directory /home/theuser/public_html/test/cgi-bin exists and contains the necessary scripts. Also, check permissions to ensure Apache can execute the scripts:
ls -la /home/theuser/public_html/test/cgi-bin
If the directory or scripts are missing, update the ScriptAlias path or ensure the files are correctly placed.
5. Validate the AllowOverride Directive
You have the following in your configuration:
AllowOverride All Options=ExecCGI,Includes,IncludesNOEXEC,Indexes,MultiViews,SymLinksIfOwnerMatch
This directive allows .htaccess files to override specific settings. Check for a .htaccess file in /home/theuser/public_html/testrbs that might conflict with your configuration. For example, it might contain rules causing the 404 error.
6. Enable CGI Execution
Make sure Apache is configured to execute CGI scripts. Ensure the mod_cgi module is enabled:
sudo a2enmod cgi
sudo systemctl restart apache2
If you’re using mod_fcgid or mod_proxy_fcgi, confirm they are properly configured for Perl scripts.
7. Debug the Error Log
Check the Apache error log for detailed information about why the 404 error is occurring:
sudo tail -f /var/log/virtualmin/test.example.org_error_log
The log may indicate specific missing files or misconfigurations causing the issue.
8. Validate Proxy Configuration
If requests are proxied to 333.333.333.333/test, confirm the backend server has a matching configuration to serve files correctly. Update the reverse proxy configuration to include:
ProxyPass / http://333.333.333.333/test/
ProxyPassReverse / http://333.333.333.333/test/
9. Restart Apache
After making changes, restart Apache to apply them:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
10. Test with Minimal Configuration
If the issue persists, simplify your configuration temporarily to isolate the problem. For example:
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerName test.example.org
DocumentRoot /home/theuser/public_html/testrbs
<Directory "/home/theuser/public_html/testrbs">
Options +ExecCGI
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
</VirtualHost>
11. Verify the Perl and PHP Setup
While a mismatch in Perl or PHP versions usually leads to a 500 error, ensure that:
- Perl scripts include the correct shebang line (e.g.,
#!/usr/bin/perl).
- Necessary Perl and PHP modules are installed.
You can test individual scripts using:
perl /home/theuser/public_html/test/cgi-bin/example.cgi
Conclusion
Start by verifying the directory structure, permissions, and proxy setup. Simplify the Apache configuration and progressively add complexity once the basic setup works. Checking the error logs will be critical in pinpointing the exact issue. Let me know if you encounter further challenges!