Why Disabling SSH in Webuzo Doesn’t Block System SSH and How to Fix It

0 3 weeks ago

When you disable SSH access in Webuzo, it only updates Webuzo’s own internal database and user access control, mainly for user-level restrictions. It does not disable the actual system-wide SSH service (sshd) running on your server.

As long as the SSH daemon (sshd) is active at the OS level, SSH connections will still be allowed — especially for root or system users.


✅ How to Properly Disable SSH Server-Wide (Block SSH Completely)

If you truly want no one (even root) to connect over SSH:

🔹 1. Stop the SSH service manually

systemctl stop sshd

or sometimes on some distros:

systemctl stop ssh

🔹 2. Disable SSH service at boot

systemctl disable sshd

or

systemctl disable ssh

✅ Now after reboot, SSH won’t start automatically.


🔹 3. Block SSH port in firewall (optional but better)

If you want to be extra sure, block incoming traffic on port 22 (or your custom SSH port) in CSF:

csf -d 0.0.0.0/0 22

or update /etc/csf/csf.conf:

TCP_IN = "Remove 22"
TCP_OUT = "Remove 22"

Then restart CSF:

csf -r

⚠️ Important Warning:
If you do this, you will completely lose remote access unless you have console/NoVNC/emergency access from your hosting provider!


💡 Recommended Safer Way Instead of Fully Disabling SSH

  • Allow SSH only from specific IPs (your office/home IP)
  • Use CSF to restrict SSH to your own IP

Example:

csf -a your.public.ip.address

and close SSH port for everyone else.

✅ This way SSH remains available only for trusted devices.


📋 Quick Summary

ActionWhat Happens
Disable SSH from Webuzo panelBlocks normal users in Webuzo, but root still has SSH
Stop SSH service manuallyStops all SSH access
Disable SSH on bootPrevents SSH after reboot
Firewall port blockTotal lockout of SSH traffic

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