(RESOLVED-plesk to blame) New Server - Web Mail USER interface not loading correctly.

Hey all !

So, We just converted from a 2008 windows server, over to a 2022 windows server. Last night (2/3/34) I finally got everything up and running. We are currently running SmarterMail 14, but will be upgrading to the latest version, now that we have a server that can actually support it.

BUT.. in the mean time, I have a problem I need to address. Smarter mail is running and getting mail to it, and it can send mail. Everything seems to be working OK.. except for accessing it via the web interface.

When I go to the web interface and log in, this is what I get. The page is malformed and does not load properly. If you mouse over something, the cursor changes, but you cant actually click on anything either, nothing happens.

I remember seeing something like this before, years ago, possibly when we originally installed our first SmarterMail. But I am really not sure what to look for to fix this. I thought it had something to do with server rewrite or file access or something. but cant remember. It is not a Cache issue as I have cleared the cache and tried different browsers, and tried it from my cell phone. same results.

NOW.. Interestingly, If i am ON the server logged in to the actual server machine, with the IP Address:9998, then the page loads properly. I can use it from the server itself.

The previous server we just converted FROM was on the same internal network and worked fine. The IP Address on this one just a few numbers different.

And, Just for additional info. We are using pfSense as the firewall. I updated the rules and DNS resolver too.

Any ideas ?

www.HawaiianHope.org - Providing technology services to non profit organizations, low income families, homeless shelters, clean and sober houses and prisoner reentry programs. Since 2015, We have refurbished over 11,000 Computers !

Curtis Kropar www.HawaiianHope.org Replied

2/6/2024 at 6:01 PM

Ok, So here is the update and the temporary resolution.

We use PLESK as the server management tool. We upgraded to the newest version of PLESK - Obsidian.

In the new version of PLESK, there is a new "security" section called "Web Application Firewall (ModSecurity)"

"The reason why SmarterMail is showing an incorrect interface is that ModSecurity is blocking .ScriptResource.axd and masks.ashx scripts:"

In the new feature, there are something like 60+ modules that are turned on by default. One of those modules was preventing Smartermail from loading properly.