The cpanelsync.exclude File

whmadvanced updates

Last modified: 2025 February 13

Overview

Use the /etc/cpanelsync.exclude file to prevent updates to cPanel-distributed files. This method causes fewer problems than other methods of update prevention (for example, the use of the immutable state).

Note:

This method only prevents an update from the cpanelsync utility. It does not prevent updates that occur at application runtime.
You cannot use the cpanelsync.exclude file to prevent modifications to configuration files, datastores, or similar types of files.
You cannot block updates to package-managed files within the /etc/cpanelsync.exclude and /etc/cpanelsync.no_chmod files.
For more information about custom cPanel packages, read our How to Build and Install Custom RPMs on Red Hat Systems documentation.
To determine whether a package manages a particular file, run the following command:
- On Red-Hat servers:
```
rpm -qf /path/to/file
```
- On Ubuntu® servers:
```
dpkg -S /path/to/file
```

Entries

Each entry in the /etc/cpanelsync.exclude file must use an absolute path, with each path on its own line.

For example, you may wish to prevent an update to the following files:

1
2


/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/pkgacct
/usr/local/cpanel/Cpanel/Logd.pm

Use the following commands to add the files’ path to the /etc/cpanelsync.exclude file:

1
2


echo "/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/pkgacct" >> /etc/cpanelsync.exclude
echo "/usr/local/cpanel/Cpanel/Logd.pm" >> /etc/cpanelsync.exclude