GCC compiles, program runs, but only in a CERTAIN directory

The_Nerd · 03-25-2007, 07:46 PM

Hello! I am having a serious problem when trying to make a CGI-script (which I've done many times before in the past), my program will only run in a CERTAIN folder, and do absolutely nothing in the cgi-scripts folder. For example, here is the output from my terminal:

Code:

[th317erd@TheNerd programs]$ gcc -o cgi-test cgi-test.c
[th317erd@TheNerd programs]$ ./cgi-test
Content-type: text/html

Hello world![th317erd@TheNerd programs]$ cp cgi-test /var/www/cgi-bin/
[th317erd@TheNerd programs]$ /var/www/cgi-bin/cgi-test
[th317erd@TheNerd programs]$

As you can see, it compiles fine, runs fine in the ~/programs directory, but as soon as I copy it to /var/www/cgi-bin (with permissions on var www and cgi-bin set to 777 for development on my own personal computer [I wouldn't set the server up like this]), the program doesn't run at all.

I am at a complete loss. Please help me.

I am running Fedora Core 3, 64bit version, on a AMD XP 64bit
proccessor

GCC version = g++ (GCC) 3.4.2 20041017 (Red Hat 3.4.2-6.fc3)
The apache server isn't running at the time I tried this test, I disabled it because I thought maybe (just maybe...) it might be causing this problem.

wjevans_7d1@yahoo.co · 03-25-2007, 09:51 PM

I wouldn't say it doesn't run at all. It seems to run, but give no output. Otherwise, bash would tell you why it hadn't run.

Is the code small enough that you can post it?

The_Nerd · 03-25-2007, 10:01 PM

I am sorry! I knew I forgot something:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main(int argc, char **argv)
{
    printf("Content-type: text/html\n\n");
    printf("Hello world!");
}

I've even tried code that caused a direct crash (by index out of bounds), and it didn't crash, it just did nothing at all.

graemef · 03-26-2007, 12:37 AM

Does the program have execution permissions?

with the ./ it doesn't need it but by providing teh full path you should add that the program can be executed.

The_Nerd · 03-26-2007, 12:39 AM

Yes, it does. I made sure by setting the mode of the file to 777.

graemef · 03-26-2007, 01:03 AM

What happens when you move to the cgi-bin directory and try and execute it with a ./cgi-test?
Do you have SELinux running?

The_Nerd · 03-26-2007, 01:06 AM

I do not think that I have SELinux running (I remember turning it off sometime in the past), but, honestly, I don't know how to check. I'll try moving the directory and let you know what happens.

Dark_Helmet · 03-26-2007, 01:42 AM

Is /var/www/cgi-bin located on a separate partition/filesystem?

If so, check /etc/fstab. See if the "noexec" option is set for that partition.

The_Nerd · 03-26-2007, 02:37 AM

No, /var/www/cgi-bin is NOT a separate file system

I've tried a few different things, and... it is strange.
1) /var/www and /var/www/cgi-bin are the ONLY folders that it WONT run in (I haven't tested /var)
2) If MOVE cgi-bin to my home folder, and RECOPY it into ~/cgi-bin, it still wont run.
3) If I MOVE the executable FROM cgi-bin TO ~/, then it wont run.
4) If I REMOVE ~/cgi-test and the RECOPY it from ~/programs TO ~/, then it runs fine.
5) If I REMOVE it from cgi-bin, and recopy it from ~/programs to cgi-bin, then it still wont work.
6) If I delete cgi-bin, and remake it (plus recopy cgi-test to it), then IF CGI-BIN IS IN /var/www
it wont run.

Code:

[th317erd@TheNerd www]$ cd
[th317erd@TheNerd ~]$ ./cgi-test
Content-type: text/html

Hello world![th317erd@TheNerd ~]$ cp ./cgi-test /var/www/cgi-bin/
[th317erd@TheNerd ~]$ cd /var/www/cgi-bin/
[th317erd@TheNerd cgi-bin]$ ls -l
total 12
-rwxrwxr-x  1 th317erd th317erd 6855 Mar 25 23:27 cgi-test
[th317erd@TheNerd cgi-bin]$ ./cgi-test
[th317erd@TheNerd cgi-bin]$ cd ..
[th317erd@TheNerd www]$ ls -l
total 256
(### other entries omitted for clarity)
drwxrwxrwx   2 th317erd  th317erd  4096 Mar 25 23:27 cgi-bin
(### other entries omitted for clarity)
[th317erd@TheNerd www]$ rm -fr cgi-bin
[th317erd@TheNerd www]$ mkdir cgi-bin
[th317erd@TheNerd www]$ cp ~/cgi-test /var/www/cgi-bin/
[th317erd@TheNerd www]$ cd cgi-bin/
[th317erd@TheNerd cgi-bin]$ ./cgi-test
[th317erd@TheNerd cgi-bin]$ cd ..
[th317erd@TheNerd www]$ ls -l
total 256
(### other entries omitted for clarity)
drwxrwxr-x   2 th317erd  th317erd  4096 Mar 25 23:28 cgi-bin
(### other entries omitted for clarity)

What the heck is going on? I think it is a permissions problem, but where and what?

bigearsbilly · 03-26-2007, 03:06 AM

change the executable file extention to .cgi

The_Nerd · 03-26-2007, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigearsbilly

change the executable file extention to .cgi

That didn't help at all, but thanks anyhow.

bigearsbilly · 03-26-2007, 03:21 AM

what about apache error logs?

?? /var/logs/apache/error_log
or something?

do a tail -f on it while you try the CGI script.

bigearsbilly · 03-26-2007, 03:25 AM

have you got CGI enabled in apache.conf files.
does any script work?

browser to http://localhost/manual and follow the instructions

The_Nerd · 03-26-2007, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigearsbilly

have you got CGI enabled in apache.conf files.
does any script work?

browser to http://localhost/manual and follow the instructions

I don't think you relise, like I said in previous posts, that I have apache disabled. I am simply trying to run the CGI executable from the BASH shell.

bigearsbilly · 03-26-2007, 03:48 AM

aah sorry...

as previously suggested

Quote:

If so, check /etc/fstab. See if the "noexec" option is set for that partition.

post your /etc/fstab if in doubt