config/4221: Mistake in the security configuration for users' public_html file in the httpd.conf

[William Drury <bi...@xao.com>]

>Number:         4221
>Category:       config
>Synopsis:       Mistake in the security configuration for users' public_html file in the httpd.conf
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       non-critical
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    apache
>State:          open
>Class:          mistaken
>Submitter-Id:   apache
>Arrival-Date:   Fri Apr  9 18:50:00 PDT 1999
>Last-Modified:
>Originator:     bild@xao.com
>Organization:
apache
>Release:        1.3.6
>Environment:
Linux RedHat 5.2.  I assume this is in every config file, however.
>Description:
The default httpd.conf-dist seemed to be incorrect about how to allow users to have public_html directories accessible (I wanted to change to allow Indexes, in this case).

Instead of the line <Directory /*/public_html>, I had to use the line <Directory ~ /*/public_html> before the configuration file changes to the Options tag (but presumable any information inside that <Directory> area) would work.
>How-To-Repeat:
Use the default httpd.conf and try to get a directory index (a directory without an DirectoryIndex specified file in it, usually a file listing of all things in the directory).
>Fix:
Modify the default httpd.conf-dist.  The line:

<Directory /*/public_html>

Should really be this, I think:

<Directory ~ /*/public_html>

... because it makes it work. :) 
>Audit-Trail:
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