403 Forbidden Error in CentOS WebPanel (CWP)

If you are facing this annoying error while reaching your WordPress, WHMCS or any other CMS website :

Forbidden

You don’t have permission to access /wp-admin/ on this server.

If you are facing CWP Free version and have mod_security turned on, then you probably need to disable one of its rules that generate false positives. We’ve tested this on CMS other than WordPress so if you are using any other CMS like Joomla, Magento or OpenCart, etc it might be worth trying.

Note that this tutorial is for only those using:

1. CentOS WebPanel (CWP)
2. Mod Security (Turned On)
3. Receiving Forbidden Errors while accessing your website

First, try restarting CWP Services. It might fix the issue. There are multiple ways to do it. However, in this blog we will be considering two:

• Run service cwpsrv restart using SSH

OR

• Navigate to CWP Dashboard and scroll down to the Process section. Click on Restart CWP Services

If restarting CWP Services doesn’t help, try this:

• Navigate to Security > Mod Security
• In the Info Panel on the right, scroll down and look for Configuration Files.
• Click on Disable Rules and a file
  
  /usr/local/apache/modsecurity-owasp-old/global_disabled_rules.conf
  will be loaded in the left pane.
• Add these lines at the end of the file:
  ##Manual WP##
  SecRuleRemoveById 981172
  SecRuleRemoveById 958057
  SecRuleRemoveById 950911
  SecRuleRemoveById 981317
  SecRuleRemoveById 958049
  SecRuleRemoveById 973302
  SecRuleRemoveById 973306
  SecRuleRemoveById 973314
  SecRuleRemoveById 973322
  SecRuleRemoveById 973348
  SecRuleRemoveById 973344
  SecRuleRemoveById 973332
• and then Click Save
• After saving the file click on Restart Apache in the Info Panel on the Right

Voila! the forbidden error is now gone. 

If this guide didn’t leave you with the answers you needed, let us help! You can drop a comment or open a ticket, and we’ll respond with alternative solutions. Together, we’ll make sure you get the support and guidance needed to move forward. Don’t hesitate to reach out – We’re here to help!