mod_userdir/6244: UserDir doesn't like directories starting with a period

[Justin Shore <ma...@vinnie.ksu.ksu.edu>]

>Number:         6244
>Category:       mod_userdir
>Synopsis:       UserDir doesn't like directories starting with a period
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       non-critical
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    apache
>State:          open
>Class:          sw-bug
>Submitter-Id:   apache
>Arrival-Date:   Mon Jun 26 16:00:01 PDT 2000
>Closed-Date:
>Last-Modified:
>Originator:     macdaddy@vinnie.ksu.ksu.edu
>Release:        1.3.12
>Organization:
apache
>Environment:
LinuxPPC 1999 'Q3
Linux Vinnie 2.2.6-15apmac #1 Mon May 31 03:54:09 EDT 1999 ppc unknown
gcc-2.95.2-1g
>Description:
1.3.9 and before (if I recall correctly) allowed me to do this:

  UserDir .html

That's what someone decided to use here at K-State and I kinda liked that myself so I decided to stick with it.  I compiled 1.3.11 a while back and /~userid websites instantly broke.  The error_log reported this:

  client denied by server configuration: /home/macdaddy/.html

The machine was only used by myself and a few others at the time so I didn't give it much thought.  I tried 1.3.12 today and had the same trouble.  After talking with a friend and trying somethings we finally found the problem.  In 1.3.11 an 12 UserDir can not start with a period:

  UserDir .html        fails everytime
  UserDir bob          works like a champ
  UserDir public_html  also works like a champ
>How-To-Repeat:
Just assign this:

  UserDir .html

and move a user's website to that directory, try accessing that user's website, and you'll see the "Forbidden" error.
>Fix:
Compare how UserDir is handled in 1.3.9 and 1.3.12 and see what's different.  I searched for UserDir on your main site and found another syntax that would probably work here (note: I haven't tried it yet):

/home/*/.html

I tried putting quotes around .html to no avail.  It's a trivial thing but I know a # of people that have had trouble because of it.
>Release-Note:
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