I’ve had this forum for 18 years and I need to submit a ticket but I’m locked out of the admin control panel. The upgrade failed and the whole thing is offline. I need help.

6 hours ago, Johanna said:

I’ve had this forum for 18 years and I need to submit a ticket but I’m locked out of the admin control panel. The upgrade failed and the whole thing is offline. I need help.

Were you trying to upgrade your forum when this happened? From what version to what version? Can you please give us some details on this? The more details the better.

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Miss_B

Yes I was trying to upgrade. I downloaded new files and tried to reinstall the software, keeping my uploads folder. Now I am getting the error

EX1146

TypeError: array_keys(): Argument #1 ($array) must be of type array, null given (0)

#0 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Theme/Theme.php(622): array_keys(NULL)

#1 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Dispatcher/Standard.php(54): IPS\_Theme->css('framework.css', 'core', 'global')

#2 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Dispatcher/Admin.php(89): IPS\Dispatcher\_Standard::baseCss()

#3 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Dispatcher/Dispatcher.php(110): IPS\Dispatcher\_Admin->init()

#4 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/admin/index.php(13): IPS\_Dispatcher::i()

#5 {main}

Thank you for any advice you can give me

I had to upgrade the server the PhP8. or above, and after that was done, I attempted the upgrade. I do not remember the versions, but my board is old and I knew I needed to update.

To what version are you trying to upgrade to? If you are trying to upgrade to the latest version of the 4.7. series, can you run the following tool and make sure that your server meets all the requirements?

Did you actually run the upgrader btw or did you simply overwrote all the files and that was it? Because the upgrader needs to be run for it in order to work, provided your server meets all the requirements.

I used the upgrade tool and determined I needed to upgrade the PhP. Then afterwards I ran the tool again and everything seemed fine. In the middle of the upgrade the screen froze, then faded. I wasn’t able to get back into the ACP so I attempted to reinstall new software files. Now I can access a partial ACP but I have the error I noted above, and the board doesn’t work, of course. Thank you

Just now, Johanna said:

I used the upgrade tool and determined I needed to upgrade the PhP. Then afterwards I ran the tool again and everything seemed fine. In the middle of the upgrade the screen froze, then faded. I wasn’t able to get back into the ACP so I attempted to reinstall new software files. Now I can access a partial ACP but I have the error I noted above, and the board doesn’t work, of course. Thank you

Can you try to reupload all the files again from the package of whatever version you are trying to upgrade too? It canbe that some files weren’t overwritten. If the upgrade wasn't completed you will have to re-run it again. Did you make a backup of the database beforehand?

Can you also check your server error log page and see if there are any recent messages logged in there?

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Miss_B

I tried to reupload the new files but that didn’t change anything. There are a lot of old files from previous versions of the board that i did not delete. There are no recent errors in the server logs. The database is 678G so I just renamed the old uploads file then switched with the new one that was generated. I can’t do an upgrade or check without the admin CP which is only partially there. The upgrade never completed.

I was wrong. There are errors.

Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.150848 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.150710 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.phtml, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.150330 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.cgi, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.150072 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.plx, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.149922 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.pl, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.149628 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php5, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.149502 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php7, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 19:48:32.149325 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16219:tid 47770876270336] [client 104.131.176.180:65314] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.813113 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.813069 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.phtml, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.812596 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.cgi, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.812502 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.plx, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.812353 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.pl, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.811751 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php5, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.811494 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php7, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 18:28:54.811314 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 3704:tid 47770878371584] [client 4.188.229.204:58509] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.811265 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.811150 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.phtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.810806 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.cgi, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.810623 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.plx, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.810543 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.pl, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.810327 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php5, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.810127 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php7, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 17:22:51.809887 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 16334:tid 47982566643456] [client 149.22.84.135:44476] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/5-tutorials-and-lessons/

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370896 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370850 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.phtml, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370686 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.cgi, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370581 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.plx, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370530 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.pl, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370382 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php5, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370329 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php7, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:53:49.370227 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 7125:tid 47982640633600] [client 143.110.182.187:52396] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php, referer: binance.com

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.457535 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.457451 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.phtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.457166 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.cgi, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.456964 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.plx, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.456887 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.pl, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.456654 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php5, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.456483 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php7, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 09:44:44.456278 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 11412:tid 47982642734848] [client 110.249.201.67:43534] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_reviews&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.804312 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.804251 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.phtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.803650 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.cgi, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.803559 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.plx, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.803513 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.pl, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.803386 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php5, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.803335 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php7, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.803177 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

[Sat Jan 25 04:34:52.270624 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 24655:tid 47982547732224] [client 110.249.201.157:41900] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/

[Sat Jan 25 04:34:52.270570 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 24655:tid 47982547732224] [client 110.249.201.157:41900] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.phtml, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/

[Sat Jan 25 04:34:52.270460 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 24655:tid 47982547732224] [client 110.249.201.157:41900] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.cgi, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/

[Sat Jan 25 04:34:52.270387 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 24655:tid 47982547732224] [client 110.249.201.157:41900] AH01797: client denied by server configuration:

and I have no idea where binance came from or what it is

When I ran the tool you shared it said the PhP memory is too low, and must be 128M or higher. I am fixing that now. Have I broken my board permanently?

41 minutes ago, Johanna said:

client denied by server configuration

This type of error The error "client denied by server configuration" generally means that somewhere in your configuration the Allow from and Deny from directives that are preventing access. The following link contains the details on the subject and the solution.

https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/httpd/ClientDeniedByServerConfiguration

47 minutes ago, Johanna said:

/home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.shtml, referer: binance.com

51 minutes ago, Johanna said:

[Sat Jan 25 06:39:15.803386 2025] [access_compat:error] [pid 25886:tid 47982556137216] [client 110.249.201.49:11488] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/uploads/index.php5, referer: https://leatherworker.net/forum/gallery/category/6-shops-tools-machines/?albumPage=2&sortby=album_count_imgs&sortdirection=desc

Are you affiliated with the forum metioned above and binance.com? If not, it looks like you have been sort of hacked imo.

TypeError: array_keys(): Argument #1 ($array) must be of type array, null given (0)

#0 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Theme/Theme.php(622): array_keys(NULL)

#1 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Dispatcher/Standard.php(54): IPS\_Theme->css('framework.css', 'core', 'global')

#2 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Dispatcher/Admin.php(89): IPS\Dispatcher\_Standard::baseCss()

#3 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/system/Dispatcher/Dispatcher.php(110): IPS\Dispatcher\_Admin->init()

#4 /home/bosslady/public_html/forum/admin/index.php(13): IPS\_Dispatcher::i()

#5 {main}

This is the error I’m getting on the truncated ACP. Any help appreciated.

The forum is legit, and mine. The binance thing is a mystery at the moment.

13 minutes ago, Johanna said:

This is the error I’m getting on the truncated ACP. Any help appreciated.

I think that that error is happening from files not being overwritten. There is a mismatch between the database and forum files imo.

14 minutes ago, Johanna said:

The forum is legit, and mine. The binance thing is a mystery at the moment.

Your forum legitimacy isn’t in question at all. Looking at the server error logs that you posted ine one of your previous posts, it looks like your forum has been hacked.

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Miss_B

I agree there seems to be a hack. I was hoping a clean install would fix it, but the old database is not compatible with the new software, apparently. I am in over my head. Thank you so much for trying to help me. I’m just distraught at losing 18 years of an active forum.

4 minutes ago, Johanna said:

I agree there seems to be a hack. I was hoping a clean install would fix it, but the old database is not compatible with the new software, apparently. I am in over my head. Thank you so much for trying to help me. I’m just distraught at losing 18 years of an active forum.

The database will have to be upgraded so it is compatible with the new forum version files. And that’s what’s causing the issue imo. The mismatch between the database and the forum files.

Have you made a backup of the database? If you haven’t done so yet, I think that it’s not too late to make one now if the database hasn’t been altered by the upgrader yet. What about your host, can you ask them if they have any backups of your site? Most hosts make regular backups and you might be in luck. Having a database backup is of the utmost importance, because no matter what happens you can always roll back your forum.

And you are very welcome btw ☺️

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Miss_B

How do I make the upgrade the database to be compatible with the new software? The host is making me an sql.gz file of the database for safekeeping. At this point I’d like to do a clean install and drop the database in, if possible. The customizations are not important. Thank you for your suggestions and help.

7 minutes ago, Johanna said:

How do I make the upgrade the database to be compatible with the new software? The host is making me an sql.gz file of the database for safekeeping. At this point I’d like to do a clean install and drop the database in, if possible. The customizations are not important. Thank you for your suggestions and help.

The upgrade process is pretty straight forward. After you have ensured that you have a working copy of the database, you will have to overwrite the current forum files with those from the version that you want to upgrade to, and then run the upgrader from the browser. You can’t drop the database because if you do that the upgrade isn’t possible as there is nothing to upgrade.

Have a look at the Manual Upgrade section in the following guide for a more detailed description. Hope it helps.

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Miss_B

So I need to make a working forum, hook it to a clean copy of the database and let the ACP convert the database files. I’m better off deleting 18 years of files on this server I don’t need and starting fresh, I guess. Keep the uploads folder. I noticed all kinds of strange directions in the config file- that must have been what the hacker was doing. I would turn this over to Invision but I sell ads on this site. Thank you for bearing with me and offering your assistance.

And we are back online, nice and neat. I have to rebuild the adserver, but who cares? I really appreciate you, Miss_B, you patiently kept pointing me in the right direction. Thank you.

11 minutes ago, Johanna said:

And we are back online, nice and neat. I have to rebuild the adserver, but who cares? I really appreciate you, Miss_B, you patiently kept pointing me in the right direction. Thank you.

You are very welcome. I am happy to see that you sorted this out.

You should also now ensure you do things like secure your admin CP with 2 factor authentication, ensure your server access details such as FTP etc are secure, if you believe someone got in there.

Good points. I am following all the recommendations of the ACP this time. I should have done my updates in a timely manner too. I’ve had red bars screaming at me every day in the ACP for over a year. Lesson learned. Love the upgrades and improved features. I may toss the third party adserver.

Thanks