cPFence uses Wordfence CLI as part of its database scanning process. If you encounter database connection errors during a scan, this guide will help you resolve them.
Common Error Message
You may see an error like this:
Error: (<wordfence.wordpress.database.WordpressDatabase object at ...>, 'Failed to connect to database: exampleuser@localhost:3306/exampledb')
Scan failed for: /var/www/example-site/public_htmlThis usually occurs when skip-name-resolve is enabled in your MySQL or MariaDB configuration. It causes issues because the database user may connect via localhost but not 127.0.0.1, and Wordfence CLI sometimes uses 127.0.0.1 for scanning.
Tip: On Enhance, you can’t use 127.0.0.1 because it points to the loopback address inside the website container, not the host operating system’s IP.
How to Fix
Easiest Solution: Change Database Settings (Server-Wide)
- Edit your MySQL configuration file (e.g.,
/etc/mysql/conf.d/enhance.cnf). - Remove or comment out the following line if present:
skip-name-resolve- Save the file and restart the database service:
sudo systemctl restart mysqlThis allows database users to connect using both localhost and 127.0.0.1.
Need Further Assistance?
If you encounter any issues or need additional help, feel free to reach out to our support team via your client portal.
