PHP Compiled as? (Problems with files)

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: cPanel & WHM 138, PHP 8.1 to 8.4

This article used to describe PHP 5 running as CGI with phpSuExec. That setup is long gone. This is how PHP runs on current Ucartz cPanel servers, and what it means for your files.

PHP runs as your own account

Your PHP scripts run as your cPanel user (through PHP-FPM or a similar handler), not as a shared web server user. Files that PHP creates, such as uploads and caches, therefore belong to you, and other accounts cannot read your files.

Permissions to use

• Files: 644. Folders: 755. Configuration files with passwords (for example wp-config.php): 600 or 640.
• Never use 777: it is not needed, and it lets other programs on the server change your files.

Changing PHP settings

• Choose the PHP version per domain in Software › MultiPHP Manager.
• Change settings such as memory_limit or upload_max_filesize in Software › MultiPHP INI Editor. Do not copy a full php.ini into your folders.
• If your account has Software › Select PHP Version, use it to choose the version and extensions.

To see the effective settings, create a file with <?php phpinfo();, open it once in your browser, and delete it afterwards.