Plesk shows error: Could not open config directory /etc/httpd/conf/modsecurity.d/rules/custom: No such file or directory

Symptoms

• Plesk reports the following error:

  PLESK_ERROR: Template_Exception: httpd: Syntax error on line 353 of /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf: Syntax error on line 5 of /etc/httpd/conf.d/security2.conf: Syntax error on line 6 of /etc/httpd/conf/modsecurity.d/zz_rules.conf: Could not open config directory /etc/httpd/conf/modsecurity.d/rules/custom: No such file or directory

• Imunify360 extension is installed (Extensions > My Extensions).

Cause

Imunify360 extension is not licensed. Directory /etc/httpd/conf/modsecurity.d/rules/custom is absent, but Plesk tries to uses Imunify360 extension’s custom rules.

Resolution

1. Connect to the server via SSH

2. Create the directory:

   # mkdir -p /etc/httpd/conf/modsecurity.d/rules/custom

3. Purchase Imunify360 license or switch to some of the free ModSecurity rulesets as follows:

   3.1. Log in to Plesk.

   3.2. Go to Tools & Settings > Web Application Firewall (ModSecurity) > Settings and choose one of free rulesets.