How to Uninstall ConfigServer Software After Closure

narcolepticnerd August 1, 2025 0 comments

With the closure of ConfigServer.com on August 31, 2025, many server administrators and web hosting professionals are facing a new challenge: how to safely and completely remove ConfigServer software from their systems. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to uninstalling ConfigServer products—including csf (ConfigServer Security & Firewall), cxs (ConfigServer Exploit Scanner), MSFE (MailScanner Front-End), OSM (Outgoing Spam Monitor), and others—while ensuring your server remains secure and stable throughout the process.

Why Uninstall ConfigServer Software?

ConfigServer tools have been a staple in the Linux server and web hosting world for years, providing robust security, automation, and management features. However, with the company’s closure, these products will no longer receive updates, security patches, or official support. Continuing to run unsupported software on production servers poses significant risks:

  • Security Vulnerabilities: Unpatched software can become a target for attackers, especially as exploits become public knowledge.
  • Compliance Issues: Many regulatory frameworks require up-to-date, supported software for compliance.
  • No Official Support: If you encounter bugs or issues, there will be no vendor support or knowledgebase to assist you.
  • Compatibility Problems: As Linux distributions and other server software evolve, outdated ConfigServer tools may break or cause conflicts.

For these reasons, it’s best practice to plan for a clean removal of ConfigServer products and transition to supported alternatives.

Preparation: Back Up and Document Everything

Before making any changes, always back up your server and document your current configuration. This includes:

  • Full server backup: Use your hosting provider’s snapshot feature or a tool like rsync or tar to create a backup of your system.
  • Configuration files: Export or copy your csf, cxs, MSFE, and OSM configuration files. These are often found in /etc/csf/, /etc/cxs/, or similar directories.
  • Firewall rules: Save your current firewall rules and any custom scripts.
  • Service status: Note which services are running and their dependencies.

Having a backup and documentation ensures you can recover quickly if anything goes wrong during the uninstall process.

Official Uninstall Scripts: The Recommended Method

ConfigServer provided official uninstall scripts for all their products, now hosted on their GitHub repository: https://github.com/waytotheweb/scripts. These scripts are the safest and most thorough way to remove ConfigServer software, as they are designed to clean up all files, configurations, and service entries related to each product.

Steps to Uninstall Using Official Scripts

  1. Access the Repository: Go to https://github.com/waytotheweb/scripts in your browser.
  2. Find Your Product: Locate the uninstall script for the product you wish to remove (e.g., uninstall_csf.sh, uninstall_cxs.sh, etc.).
  3. Download the Script: Use wget or curl to download the script to your server, or copy the raw script content and save it as a .sh file.
  4. Review the Script: Open the script in a text editor to review what it will do. Look for commands that remove files, stop services, and clean up configuration directories.
  5. Make the Script Executable: Run chmod +x uninstall_csf.sh (replace with your script’s filename).
  6. Run the Script: Execute the script with sudo ./uninstall_csf.sh.
  7. Monitor Output: Watch for any errors or warnings. The script should confirm removal of files and services.
  8. Repeat for Other Products: If you have multiple ConfigServer products installed, repeat the process for each one.

Example: Uninstalling csf (ConfigServer Security & Firewall)

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/waytotheweb/scripts/main/uninstall_csf.sh
chmod +x uninstall_csf.sh
sudo ./uninstall_csf.sh

This will remove csf, its configuration files, and any related systemd or init scripts.

Manual Uninstallation (If Scripts Are Unavailable)

If you cannot access the official uninstall scripts, you can manually remove ConfigServer products. This process is more involved and requires caution.

General Steps for Manual Removal

  1. Stop the Service: For csf: sudo systemctl stop csf (or the appropriate service name for other products).
  2. Disable the Service: sudo systemctl disable csf
  3. Remove Binaries and Scripts: Delete the main program files, usually in /usr/sbin/, /usr/local/sbin/, or /usr/local/cpanel/bin/.
  4. Remove Configuration Files: Delete configuration directories, such as /etc/csf/, /etc/cxs/, etc.
  5. Clean Up Log Files: Remove logs from /var/log/csf/, /var/log/cxs/, etc.
  6. Remove Cron Jobs: Check /etc/cron.d/, /var/spool/cron/, and user crontabs for scheduled tasks related to ConfigServer products.
  7. Update Firewall Rules: If csf managed your firewall, restore your previous iptables or firewalld rules, or set up a new firewall solution.
  8. Check for Leftover Files: Use find to search for any remaining files: sudo find / -name '*csf*' (replace as needed).

Example: Manual Removal of csf

sudo systemctl stop csf
sudo systemctl disable csf
sudo rm -rf /etc/csf /var/lib/csf /var/log/csf /usr/sbin/csf /usr/sbin/lfd
sudo crontab -l | grep -v 'csf' | crontab -

Repeat similar steps for other ConfigServer products, adjusting paths and service names as needed.

Post-Uninstall: Securing and Monitoring Your Server

After removing ConfigServer software, it’s crucial to ensure your server remains secure:

  • Install an Alternative Firewall: Consider open source options like UFW, Firewalld, or Fail2Ban. These tools are actively maintained and widely supported.
  • Restore or Reconfigure Firewall Rules: If csf managed your firewall, you’ll need to set up new rules using your chosen alternative.
  • Monitor Logs: Check system logs for any errors or issues after removal.
  • Test Services: Ensure all critical services (web, mail, SSH, etc.) are running as expected.
  • Update Documentation: Record the changes you made and update your server documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What if I need to reinstall ConfigServer software after August 31, 2025?
A: After the closure, official downloads and support will no longer be available. If you need to reinstall, you must have a backup of the installer or access to a trusted community mirror. However, using unsupported software is not recommended.

Q: Are there risks to leaving ConfigServer software installed but unused?
A: Yes. Unused, outdated software can still pose security risks, especially if it runs background services or has open ports. Complete removal is best practice.

Q: Can I migrate my configuration to a new firewall solution?
A: Yes. Before uninstalling, export your csf or other ConfigServer product settings. Many alternative firewalls allow for custom rule imports or manual configuration.

Q: Where can I get help if I encounter issues during uninstallation?
A: Community forums, Linux support sites, and sysadmin groups are your best resources. Search for guides or ask for help with your specific distribution and scenario.

Conclusion

Uninstalling ConfigServer software is an important step in maintaining a secure and compliant server environment after the company’s closure. By following the steps above—using official uninstall scripts when possible, backing up your data, and transitioning to supported alternatives—you can ensure your server remains protected and future-proof. Always stay informed about security best practices and keep your systems up to date.

For more information and the latest updates, visit the ConfigServer scripts repository and participate in sysadmin community discussions.

Category: Server Security

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