Project Description
I am looking for an expert System Administrator with deep knowledge of CloudLinux 7, cPanel/WHM, and LiteSpeed to resolve a critical web server failure and bring our server and websites back online.
Background & Actions Taken:
Our server was recently compromised due to the global cPanel Authentication Bypass vulnerability (affecting versions after 11.40).
We successfully applied the security patch via a forced cPanel update. The server is now secured and running version 11.130.0.19.
We bypassed the hacker's locks (chattr -i) and successfully restored around 100 cPanel accounts from clean backups (dated April 29) using the restorepkg script.
Databases were restored successfully after temporarily disabling the MySQL strict password validation component.
The Current Problem:
Although the accounts are restored and the server is secured, the web server is completely down, and all websites are returning a refused to connect error in the browser.
The server was originally running LiteSpeed. Following the forced cPanel update, both Apache and LiteSpeed crashed.
The apache_php_fpm service is failing to start.
When attempting to switch to and start LiteSpeed, we receive the following error:
Job for lshttpd.service failed because the control process exited with error code. See "systemctl status lshttpd.service" and "journalctl -xe" for details.
We have already attempted to clear the /tmp/lshttpd/ directory and run the LiteSpeed auto-fix script (/usr/local/lsws/admin/misc/lsup.sh -f), but the service still refuses to start.
Scope of Work (What you need to do):
Access the server via Root SSH/WHM.
Troubleshoot and fix the LiteSpeed web server issue so it boots up successfully (or fix Apache/PHP-FPM as a fallback if LiteSpeed requires license syncing/reinstallation).
Ensure all restored websites are fully operational, accessible via the browser, and loading properly without connection or permission errors.
Conduct a quick check to ensure no lingering hacker remnants (e.g., immutable files) are blocking the web server services.
Required Skills:
Advanced experience with CentOS / CloudLinux 7.
Deep expertise in cPanel/WHM architecture and LiteSpeed Web Server.
Strong troubleshooting skills with systemd, Apache, and PHP-FPM logs.