Is DirectAdmin planning to remove PHP 5.6 in the next few years?

W

WebMaister

New member
Joined
Aug 23, 2026
Messages
2
Is DirectAdmin planning to remove PHP 5.6 in the next few years?
I'm asking because I noticed that Plesk recently reintroduced PHP 5.6 after having removed it.

If DirectAdmin is planning to remove PHP 5.6 at some point, would using CloudLinux be a better option for running PHP 5.6?
I ask because I've read that DirectAdmin and CloudLinux are not exactly "on par" in terms of integration (ref. https://docs.directadmin.com/operation-system-level/cloudlinux/), and that "In general, integration between DirectAdmin and CloudLinux is quite gnarly." (ref. https://forum.directadmin.com/threa...r-supported-by-directadmin.71715/#post-378788)

Please avoid suggestions to upgrade PHP or other comments along those lines. You don't know my situation, and PHP 5.6 is now still a mandatory requirement for me.
Thanks!
 
To be honest upgrading is the only option for PHP.
DirectAdmin only supports PHP versions that are still supported by PHP themselves. (But even though DirectAdmin does not support EOL PHP versions, it will also not block it.)

And CloudLinux is a valid way/option for getting support for older PHP versions but that has nothing to do with DirectAdmin.
 
And that I mean by “not supported” is the following:

If it at any point fails to build and or function:
DirectAdmin will not fix it nor help you in any way. (And they will also not help in any way if your license entitles you to support if the issues relates to the EOL version in any way.)

And also you will not receive any security fixes at all.
So your server will get compromised (sooner or later) by any remote code execution exploit found on your PHP EOL versions.
 
Daniel-Doggy said:
And that I mean by “not supported” is the following:

If it at any point fails to build and or function:
DirectAdmin will not fix it nor help you in any way. (And they will also not help in any way if your license entitles you to support if the issues relates to the EOL version in any way.)

And also you will not receive any security fixes at all.
So your server will get compromised (sooner or later) by any remote code execution exploit found on your PHP EOL versions.
Click to expand...
Of course, but that would be the same with CloudLinux.

What I was trying to figure out is how long PHP 5.6 will be available on DirectAdmin. I think they call them bundles.
 
It’s not the same.
CloudLinux actually supports the older PHP versions that are EOL and they make there own security patches for them and thus safe to use. (Thats one of the reasons why you would pay for CloudLinux.)
 
Last edited:
The issue isn't PHP itself (although, how secure it is is definitely a debate). It's the fact that you're relying on a script that still requires PHP 5.6.

WordPress dropped support for PHP 5.6 in August 2023, that was 3 years ago. Now, the OP doesn't explicitly state what script they are using, it may not be WordPress. But if someone is requiring PHP 5.6 for a WordPress script... that script hasn't been updated in 3 years. This is likely going to be true for ANY script that still "requires" PHP 5.6.

CloudLinux can pretty it up all they want and "harden" PHP 5.6 - but the fact is going to remain, you're using an outdated script if you require PHP 5.6. That's going to be the malicious user's entry point. Not PHP itself, but the fact that the script requiring PHP 5.6 is outdated and likely vulnerable to compromise.
 
Totally agree.
I mentioned it as a possibility as I know a lot of companies do it this way to keep customers happy and pretend to also be safe. (Even though the security fixes definitely make it as safe as can be expected and this is not to bash on CloudLinux.)

But I am also not that kind of person that likes anyone who thinks it is ok to run EOL software and pretend it is fine. (I have always been the person to tell customers to either upgrade or find a different host that wants to deal with all your unsafe s**t.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top