Static files in Plesk protected directory are inaccessible: ERROR: 404 not found

Started by Suhitha, Sep 01, 2025, 04:35 AM

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Suhitha

    Symptoms

    • When accessing static files (JS, images CSS) contained in a Protected directory or its subdirectories in Plesk,
    the following error is shown:

    ERROR: 404 not found
    • Error code 500 may also be displayed

    • Proxy Mode is enabled in Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS tab > Apache & nginx Settings.

    • Smart Static Files Processing is enabled in Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS tab > Apache & nginx Settings

    [/list]


    Symptoms

    Product issue:

    • #PPPM-13942 "It is now possible to access files in password-protected directories when "Smart static files processing" and "Proxy mode" are enabled in the "Apache & nginx" settings."
    Fixed in:

    • Plesk Obsidian 18.0.52 25 April 2023 (Linux)


    Resolution

    Please consider updating your server:

    • How to install Plesk updates


    In case the issue persists after the update, please also check for custom nginx configuration templates, as the fix is only applied to the default templates.

    If affected, you may add a ^~ to the custom template at

    /usr/local/psa/admin/conf/templates/default/domain/nginxDomainVirtualHost.php

    specifically at the internal-nginx-static-location directive like so:


           
           
        location ^~ /internal-nginx-static-location/ {


    Workaround

    If update is not possible for some reason you may try the following

                                    workaround
    1. Log into Plesk.

    2. Go to Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS tab > Apache & nginx Settings.

    3. Disable Smart static files processing or enable Serve static files directly by nginx.

    Note: when enabling Serve static files directly by nginx, mod_rewrite rules will not be applied