How to Fix Mailbox Permissions

Introduction

Occasionally, after a migration from another server, the mailbox permissions for your users may be incorrect.  This can cause issues with sending and/or receiving email.

Procedure

WHM

1.  Log in to WHM

2. Click on "Repair Mailbox Permissions"

3. Press "Proceed"

This interface will inspect mailbox ownership and file permissions. You can also attempt to repair any contradictions that may exist in the mail system manually.  If this permission fix script fails, the permissions may be unable to be changed in this way.  Please see this article for steps on how to proceed further: Mailbox permissions for user@domain.com are broken and can't be fixed

Command Line

cPanel includes the mailperm script that can be used to correct permissions on mail files within an account.

This procedure will only work if the user's files are not owned by root. If the user's mail files are owned by root you will need to follow the instructions in this article:

Mailbox permissions for user@domain.com are broken and can't be fixed

The usage of the command is:

# /scripts/mailperm --help
Usage: mailperm <modifier> <user>

Arguments:
<user> - Optional argument to specify the scope of
the permissions checks. The specified user must
be a valid system account.

Modifier Flags:
--skiplocaldomains - This optional argument bypasses
addition of missing domains to the /etc/localdomains
file when specified. The localdomains file specifies
to Exim that it should always accept delivery for
the listed domains. Remote domains are removed from
/etc/localdomains regardless of this flag.

--skipmxcheck - This optional argument bypasses synchronizing
the mail exchanger setting from the cpanel users file to the
system.

--dirsonly - This optional flag limits setting permissions
to only modifying directories.
NOTE: The “maildirsize” files are always fixed if needed.

--skipserverperm - This optional flag prevents modification
of the mail system files used by Exim and limits the
scope of permission modifications to the mail account
files.

--verbose - This optional flag signals the utility to
report detected permissions problems per user prior
to modifying any permissions.

--help - display this message and exit.

A typical command would be:

# /scripts/mailperm --verbose testuser