406 error fix

  • Not sure WordPress is at stake, but here goes. As far as I know, I hadn’t changed anything, but in testing various WordPress posts suddenly all links to one page were giving Not Acceptable 406 errors. Other links seemed fine, although they were all to files in my root directory, while the file giving the error is in a subfolder. Foolishly, I neglected to look for links to any other files in the same folder, so I can’t swear that the problem arose with just that one file or the subfolder. If it helps, the links are all to static html pages, not to other WordPress posts (which I use only for my home page).

    I called for help to my Web host (FatCow), and a support person added this fix to two places, the page giving the error and an .htaccess file in the root directory that may or may not have been there before. (I can’t tell you.)

    <IfModule mod_security.c>
    SecFilterEngine Off
    SecFilterScanPOST Off
    </IfModule>

    For the page giving the error, she added it at top, before any html, even DOCTYPE. Anyhow, now it works.

    Two questions. First, any idea what might have gone wrong? As I say, I’m not aware of any changes to my system, beyond my usual writing habits. Second, do you think I need both changes, or can I (say) remove the fix from the html page giving the failed link while keeping the .htaccess file?

    In case it helps, my site is https://www.haberarts.com. You’ll see numerous WordPress posts with links to files in the root directory, but (whenever I cite an art gallery or museum) a link to https://www.haberarts.com/style/museums.html (followed by a # and the id of the gallery or museum at stake). Thank you!

    • This topic was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by jhaber31.

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Moderator Steven Stern (sterndata)

    (@sterndata)

    Volunteer Forum Moderator

    >> First, any idea what might have gone wrong? As I say, I’m not aware of any changes to my system, <<

    Your host changed their implementation of mod_security in a way that breaks WordPress.

    Thread Starter jhaber31

    (@jhaber31)

    I see, thanks. I was guessing that the buggy change came at their end.

    So: what are the implications of that for what I should do? I’m guessing that one or the other of her changes to my site in effect overrode the host’s default, thankfully. So now what? Thanks again,

    Moderator Steven Stern (sterndata)

    (@sterndata)

    Volunteer Forum Moderator

    Just hope they don’t do it again. ??

    Thread Starter jhaber31

    (@jhaber31)

    Gotcha, thanks. Of course, I don’t really know why that one page or subfolder was deemed unacceptable, not that it matters. But not to be a nag, again, do you think I need the mod_security_c changes to both files, the html file and .htaccess? Of course, I could do a little trial and error.

    Moderator Steven Stern (sterndata)

    (@sterndata)

    Volunteer Forum Moderator

    Your host has turned off mod_security for your site.

    Thread Starter jhaber31

    (@jhaber31)

    Scratch that. I did indeed go with trial and error. I removed the lines from the start of the html page, so that it looks like something I can recognize as html, and things seem to work ok. If they go bad, I can always copy the lines over from .htaccess.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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