Enable shell_exec() in wamp server

Question

Recently I have passed one issue on wamp server..I need to use the shell_exec() function in PHP for running some external shell script (some checksum file) . But in my wamp server the function is disabled by default. I searched in google but I cant find out the solution. So I try to put that code in live server. But there's also the same problem. I contacted the technical person for that server but he said we cant enable shell_script. It is security violence.

So only way is trying in wamp server... How to enable shell_exec() or exec() ..?

Even if you manage to get it working on your WAMP server, how are you going to move it to your live server afterwards? How do you figure the function is disabled on your WAMP server? What did you try? What happened when you tried it? — lanzz, Oct 28 '12 at 21:17
@Mob I've just noticed now that you're actually hijacking someone else's question, so my question regarding the live server is probably not relevant. — lanzz, Oct 28 '12 at 21:32
Actually, for me there's no moving to any live server. I just want it running on my windows box. — Mob, Oct 29 '12 at 06:15
Are you asking us to hack that server for you? Because going against server policy's is generally not a good idea. Though, if properly configured, this shouldn't be an issue. — Ariaan, Nov 02 '12 at 23:32

Sturmi · Answer 1 · 2014-02-08T12:05:44.700

8

The following line was the best I read to this problem: "You need to disable safe mode in the php.ini located in the \Apache2\bin folder, not the php folder. Restart Apache2 service right after to load the new settings."

The solution is:

stop all services from Wamp-Server and close the programm
Open .../wamp/bin/apache/Apache2../bin/php.ini
copy php.ini to desktop and open it
set safe_mode_exec_dir (line after = is empty, so IT IS ON!!!) set it off!
save
copy back to dir (maybe you need admin rights)
start wamp-server
enjoy exec() and co.

edited Feb 08 '14 at 12:05

answered Feb 08 '14 at 11:59

Sturmi

101
2
8

`set safe_mode_exec_dir (line after = is empty, so IT IS ON!!!) set it off!` ... i did not understand this ....my php.ini has `safe_mode_exec_dir = ` it is empty , do I need to type ON there? – Hitesh Dec 04 '14 at 12:38
how can i turn it off? – masoud vali Mar 03 '16 at 05:09
1

`safe_mode_exec_dir = off` is the answer, if it is not available in the php.ini just add a line, it works!!!! – Bira Mar 12 '16 at 02:55

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered May 08 '19 at 20:41

3

I was having the same problem and tried a lot of solutions out there. What worked out for me was running XAMPP as Admin.

answered May 08 '19 at 20:41

leplandelaville

186
1
9

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Oct 30 '12 at 17:45

1

Open your php.ini file used by wamp, find the disable_functions part, change it and restart the server.

edited Oct 30 '12 at 17:45

Marcin Orlowski

72,056
11
123
141

answered Oct 06 '12 at 07:55

xdazz

158,678
38
247
274

1

Thanks for your replay..I already checked in php.ini file. the disable-functions is empty. No functions are disabled.. – Selva Oct 06 '12 at 08:59
Sorry guys..Its all my problem..I was tried shell_exec() function 'ls -hal'. But its not working. Recently I just tried some other basic commands like 'cal' , 'date' ..Its working..Then I realized wamp is just giving us linux environment only. So we cant expect full linux command utilization. Actually I tried execute one 'c' file. Finally I found solution. First we need to compile that 'c' file then only we can execute...This what I used.. Thanks for all..!! – Selva Nov 09 '12 at 09:59

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 28 '12 at 22:08

0

You need to disable safe mode in the php.ini located in the \Apache2\bin folder, not the php folder.

Restart Apache2 service right after to load the new settings.

answered Oct 28 '12 at 22:08

oxygen

5,891
6
37
69

Did you look into the php.ini in the Apache2 folder or not? **Not** the PHP folder, the Apache2 folder. – oxygen Oct 29 '12 at 10:11
Check your phpinfo() to find the current loaded php.ini file – Edd Oct 29 '12 at 10:50

score 0 · Answer 5 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

0

Is not a "server problem". This configuration is not recommended. You must run the WAMP server in Administrator mode.

Here are some information: PHP doesn't work with shell_exec(), system() or passthru()

edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

Community

1
1

answered Oct 31 '12 at 17:43

Estefano Salazar

419
4
15

Ariaan · Answer 6 · 2012-11-02T23:56:26.590

0

have you tried backticks? (in case safemode is OFF)

`ls -hal`

Windows equivalent would be

`dir \AH`

edited Nov 02 '12 at 23:56

answered Nov 02 '12 at 22:35

Ariaan

1,105
1
9
13

@WebnetMobile.com Well, that's uncalled for. I did mention it. So RTFA to you, and the other comments on the question. On that note Mob did mention safemode is **OFF** – Ariaan Nov 02 '12 at 23:24

Jens A. Koch · Answer 7 · 2012-11-04T10:23:40.747

0

Try using a WAMP server stack, which is clearly for development, like WPN-XM or XAMPP. Without any security limitations for the developer. So you won't run into trouble, when executing system(), shell_exec(), passthrough().

edited Nov 04 '12 at 10:23

answered Nov 03 '12 at 14:31

Jens A. Koch

39,862
13
113
141

Ishan Bhuta · Answer 8 · 2016-06-22T13:48:47.277

0

I think we can use these steps

Open wamp\bin\apache\apache2.4.9\bin(doesn't matter apache version)
Open php.ini file in editor
Search for "disable_functions".
Remove exec and shell_exec from disable function
Restart all services.

Enjoy!!!

edited Jun 22 '16 at 13:48

answered Jun 22 '16 at 08:13

Ishan Bhuta

1
3

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Jan 03 '18 at 10:16

<?php
function _exec($cmd)
{
    shell_exec('SCHTASKS /F /Create /TN _proc /TR "' . $cmd . '"" /SC DAILY /RU INTERACTIVE');
    shell_exec('SCHTASKS /RUN /TN "_proc"');
    shell_exec('SCHTASKS /DELETE /TN "_proc" /F');
}
_exec("mspaint.exe");
?>

Rather a hack, but if you're trying to start anything with a gui, or hangs, this is what I found that works.

score -2 · Answer 10 · edited Nov 04 '12 at 13:49

-2

I just found a better explanation, but didn't tried it yet. Have a look - http://discussion.accuwebhost.com/linux-server/1096-how-enable-shell_exec-function-one-account.html

edited Nov 04 '12 at 13:49

Wahyu Kristianto

8,719
6
43
68

answered Oct 30 '12 at 11:27

Jimmy M

1,627
3
14
18

I don't think he has access to those configurations, else he would be able to enable it himself anyway. – Ariaan Nov 02 '12 at 23:40

Enable shell_exec() in wamp server

10 Answers10

Linked