Fixing the "No Thread Specified" Error -- Removing the Enctype

[Mike Sullivan]

Fixing the "No (Forum/Thread) Specified" Error

Why it's happening
There was recently a security issue discovered in PHP's file (POST) uploading function. As a result, many hosts not running the secure version (4.1.2) have disabled file uploading (specifically, the file_uploads php.ini setting). With file uploads off, it seems that all POST data coming from a multipart/form-data encoded form (the type required for file uploading) is not correctly set.

How it can be fixed
The best way would probably be to get your host to upgrade to PHP 4.1.2 and reenable file_uploads, but that's not always feasible. Thus, the workaround is to remove the encoding from 4 templates in vBulletin: editpost, modifyavatar, newreply, and newthread.

Procedure (click the images for a full size version)
Note: this example only shows the procedure for newthread; it is *very* similar for the other templates.

1) Login to your control panel and click on "modify" in the Templates section of the left frame.
http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix1s.gif (http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix1.gif)

2) In the resulting page on the right frame, click "show all" by the appropriate template set (normally "Default")
http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix2s.gif (http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix2.gif)

3) Scroll down until you find the newthread template (it's in alphabetical order despite the groupings). Click either "change original" or "edit" next to the template name as appropriate (you'll have one or the other).
http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix3s.gif (http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix3.gif)

4) In the text area box, search/look for the following text:
enctype="multipart/form-data"
http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix4s.gif (http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix4.gif)
Simply remove (or comment out) this text and submit.

5) Repeat for editpost, modifyavatar, and newreply.

Note that you won't be able to attach any files without this encoding even if file_uploads is on. You'll need to replace it before any uploading functions will begin to function again.

[leibhart]

should i upgrade if i'm not having problems with 2.2.2?

my hosting company installed the php patch & everything is fine since then. i didn't change templates.

so do i still need to do this upgrade? thanks j

[Steve Machol]

Originally posted by leibhart
should i upgrade if i'm not having problems with 2.2.2? Version 2.2.3 also contains a fix for a security hole. Read the announcement for more information.

[amsch]

If we have upgraded to 2.2.4 and our php is PHP 4.1.2 the files are on. And we are still having this problem? I am bit confused by do we need to edit those files? because I no longer have those variables in those files. What do we need to change it to?

[Steve Machol]

Originally posted by amsch
I am bit confused by do we need to edit those files? because I no longer have those variables in those files. What files? What variables? :confused:

[amsch]

enctype="multipart/form-data"
that is not there to remove it has the $enctype instead with 2.2.4.
and I am still having the posting problems. It times out and gives me the no thread specified error.

[Steve Machol]

Revert these templates:

editpost
modifyavatar
newreply
newthread

[amsch]

the revert before I upgraded to 2.2.4 and did not make any changes to them since. so what should I do to them now so people can reply? I appreciate you taking the time to answer me.

[Steve Machol]

I don't understand. If you reverted those templates, then they will already have enctype in them.

[amsch]

I am sorry if I wasn't clear in my first post.
Here is what I am running,
linux 6.2
PHP 4.1.2
apache 1.3.23
mysql 3.23.49

VB 2.2.4 and I am still having the no thread specified problem.
file_uploads is on.

Here is my settings also.
[mysqld]
port=3306


set-variable = max_connections=500
set-variable = key_buffer=16M
set-variable = myisam_sort_buffer_size=64M
set-variable = join_buffer=2M
set-variable = record_buffer=2M
set-variable = sort_buffer=3M
set-variable = table_cache=1024
set-variable = thread_cache_size=512
set-variable = wait_timeout=7200
set-variable = connect_timeout=10


[safe_mysqld]
open_files_limit=8192
#err-log=/var/log/mysql/error.log
pid-file=/var/run/mysqld.pid


[mysqldump]
quick
set-variable = max_allowed_packet=64M


[myisamchk]
set-variable = key_buffer=32M
set-variable = sort_buffer=32M
set-variable = read_buffer=16M
set-variable = write_buffer=16M

[Steve Machol]

Create a phpinfo.php file with the following content, upload it to your server, then post the URL here.

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

[amsch]

http://www.20ishparents.com/phpinfo.php

[Steve Machol]

The major differance I see in your phpinfo from mine is that I don't have a value for 'upload_tmp_dir' while you show this as '/tmp'

If you have access to /tmp. try chmod'ing it to 777.

[amsch]

I do not think I have access to that but letting them know. On a side note? what are the permissions that my boards should be set to in directory? could that be the problem?

[Steve Machol]

Well if your system is using the /tmp directory for all file uploads, then this directory needs to be set to be world-writeable and readable, i.e., 777.

[amsch]

that is all done and we are still having this problem.
here is an example. can't reply to this one.
http://20ishparents.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29657

Do I need to update counters or anything again?
Amy

[wscg]

Originally posted by Ed Sullivan
Fixing the "No (Forum/Thread) Specified" Error

4) In the text area box, search/look for the following text:
enctype="multipart/form-data"
http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix4s.gif (http://www.casualplayers.org/vb/vbpostfix4.gif)
Simply remove (or comment out) this text and submit.



My new thread template does not have that text enctype="multipart/form-data" it has enctype action="newthread.php"

what is that I need to remove?

I have version 2.2.4

[LCD_Angel]

1. I made the changes (edited out the lines) in version 2.2.2 to avoid the "forum specified" error.

2. I know have version 2.2.4 installed and I can not post attachments.

How do I reedit the files so I can do uploads again?

Thanks

[Steve Machol]

Jusr revert the templates I listed in my post above.

[amsch]

Helped me with my problem I was having. Here is what resolved the issue, it was mail server issue. And the posts I was having a problem with were the ones that has subscribes on them. That is why some threads would go through and others would not.

[LCD_Angel]

Originally posted by smachol
Jusr revert the templates I listed in my post above.

I am like Mr. Doesn't Know Anything About PHP. Can you maybe give me some more detail on how to go about reverting the templates for those files?

Thank you, your help is very much appreciated.

[Steve Machol]

This has nothing to do with PHP. It's all in your Admin CP:

Admin CP -> Templates -> Modify -> Expand list

....then find the templates mentioned and click on 'revert to original'.

[wscg]

Originally posted by wscg


My new thread template does not have that text enctype="multipart/form-data" it has enctype action="newthread.php"

what is that I need to remove?

I have version 2.2.4

Help me.

[Steve Machol]

Originally posted by wscg


Help me. Well it would be helpful if we knew what problem you are having and what exactly you have done up to now. I don't see that information posted in this thread. It would also be helpful to have some information about your setup - in partcularly the PHP version you are running and a link to your phpinfo.php file.

[wscg]

Originally posted by smachol
Well it would be helpful if we knew what problem you are having and what exactly you have done up to now. I don't see that information posted in this thread. It would also be helpful to have some information about your setup - in partcularly the PHP version you are running and a link to your phpinfo.php file.
Some members of my board are getting the "No thread specified" error. Most ar not but some are. I tried to do what the instructions on the first post say but My new thread template does not have that text enctype="multipart/form-data" it has <form $enctype action="newthread.php" . So I don't know what to change it to get rid of the uploading feature that u guys say would fix the problem.

Okay forum is at http://www.dpgc-2g.com/dpgc2g_forum
Version: 2.2.4
Test Account: User name = testing & Password = testdpgc2g
Here is what I am running:
MySQL 3.23.45
Apache/1.3.20
PHP 4.1.2

here is the phpinfo.php file http://www.dpgc-2g.com/phpinfo.php

any more ?s I will be happy to answer.

[wscg]

up.

[wscg]

Originally posted by wscg

Some members of my board are getting the "No thread specified" error. Most ar not but some are. I tried to do what the instructions on the first post say but My new thread template does not have that text enctype="multipart/form-data" it has <form $enctype action="newthread.php" . So I don't know what to change it to get rid of the uploading feature that u guys say would fix the problem.

Okay forum is at http://www.dpgc-2g.com/dpgc2g_forum
Version: 2.2.4
Test Account: User name = testing & Password = testdpgc2g
Here is what I am running:
MySQL 3.23.45
Apache/1.3.20
PHP 4.1.2

here is the phpinfo.php file http://www.dpgc-2g.com/phpinfo.php

any more ?s I will be happy to answer.
Up. Please Help.

[Dr. Zaius]

I have the same problem as wscg. My new thread template just says $enctype instead of enctype="multipart/form-data". How should I edit it?

I can't just 'revert' because this is the original template and my only option is 'change original'.

Thanks in advance!

BTW I'm using 2.2.6

[Steve Machol]

The current 2.2.6 templates contain:

<form $enctype action="newthread.php" method="POST"

Frankly it doesn't make any sense that this would happen to some users but not others. The original problem was an all-or-nothing thing. I suggest each of you post in your own troubleshooting thread with all the relevant details rather than as replies to this one.

[Bouddha]

Just this post to tell I'm encountering the same problems as wscg... I'll post a new thread about it

[sengerdw]

I figured out my problem. :D It was the quick reply hack.

The Quick Reply Box:

In the "showthread" template adding the $replybox right after the following. I had it placed in my own area, I think it was even before. Reverting "showthread" would have been more accurate than reverting the newtread and newrply templates. And the way to test it is to select outside the box before hitting submit. If the cursor is in the box you do not get the error.

In the "showthread" template add $replybox right AFTER the following:

<!-- first unread and next/prev -->
<table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="95%" align="center">
<tr>
<td><smallfont>$pagenav&nbsp;</smallfont></td>
<td align="right"><smallfont>
<img src="http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/images/prev.gif" alt="" border="0">
<a href="showthread.php?s=$session[sessionhash]&threadid=$threadid&goto=nextoldest">Last Thread</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="showthread.php?s=$session[sessionhash]&threadid=$threadid&goto=nextnewest">Next Thread</a>
<img src="http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/images/next.gif" alt="" border="0">
</smallfont></td>
</tr>
</table>
<!-- first unread and next/prev -->

[Bouddha]

Thx but it wont solve my prob :(
Anyway, I got the quick reply hack too and he may cause the problem elsewhere...
I'm pretty sure it will be fixed when I'll upgrade to the last release of Vbulletin.

[RS25.com]

Okay, I followed the directions and this did NOT work. :(

here's the situation:

1. Upgraded to PHP 4.2.2 on Windows 2000 Server, vBulletin 2.2.6
2. Restarted server
3. Now when you come to the bulletin board, the first page lists fine, but when you click a link you get the following error immediately (not replying or posting or anything, just trying to view the threads in a forum):

No forum specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the webmaster

Please advise. My production server is currently offline and I am running a backup server.

[sengerdw]

Is the forum ID in the URL at least? If so... sounds like a db error. Check your db or global file...

If the forum ID is not in the url than it sounds like a simple template fix.

[Steve Machol]

RS25.com, fill out a support ticket at:

http://www.vbulletin.com/members/support.php

Be sure to include the login info to your Admin CP and FTP.

[vicos]

Sounds like we have the same or similar problem.

3 users out of over 1000 report receiving the following error when trying to access any thread in one specific forum. All other forums are fine.

"No thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the webmaster..."

We are on Ventures Online and they are using PHP 4.2. We are using VB Version 2.2.6. We didn't have any reports of this problem until after the 2.2.5 -> 2.2.6 upgrade, although that is not conclusive.

It also looks like the problem might be restricted to Internet Explorer v5 on Win 95/98.

[TranceCan]

Sounds like we have the same or similar problem.

3 users out of over 1000 report receiving the following error when trying to access any thread in one specific forum. All other forums are fine.

"No thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the webmaster..."

We are on Ventures Online and they are using PHP 4.2. We are using VB Version 2.2.6. We didn't have any reports of this problem until after the 2.2.5 -> 2.2.6 upgrade, although that is not conclusive.

It also looks like the problem might be restricted to Internet Explorer v5 on Win 95/98.
This is an OLD thread, but I recently upgraded to 2.3.3, with MySQL 4.0.16 and Apache 2.0.48. I am getting the occassional error as mentioned in this thread. From what I can see...it's happening whenever someone follows a link to a thread from HOTMAIL.

????