how to configure package management for cPanel

1. Introduction

The rpm.versions system in cPanel & WHM controls whether specific RPM or DEB packages are installed, updated, or removed. If you do not want the system to manage a package, you can set its target to unmanaged. This guide explains how to set or unset package management for any target.

Note: Before version 98, this feature was called “RPM Management.” Starting with version 98, DEB packages were added for Ubuntu installations.

2. Common Problems with Unmanaged Packages

Warning: It is strongly recommended to keep all targets managed by the rpm.versions system.

• Unmanaged packages do not receive automatic updates.
• Unmanaged FTP targets may break FTP-related interfaces in cPanel.
• Unmanaged targets may block future cPanel & WHM upgrades.

3. Why Is My Target Unmanaged?

Some targets may appear unmanaged even if you did not modify them:

• FTP — proftpd and pure-ftpd
• NSD — nsd (removed in version 106; target removed in version 112)

4. What Is an rpm.versions Target?

The file /usr/local/cpanel/etc/rpm.versions contains target_settings, which define whether each target is managed or unmanaged.

Example: The clamav target controls the following packages:

• cpanel-clamav
• cpanel-clamav-virusdefs
• cpanel-perl-123-file-scan-clamav

5. List of Available Targets

Service	Target	Warning
Third-party software	3rdparty	Never set to unmanaged
Analog Stats	analog
AWStats	awstats
ClamAV	clamav
Composer	composer	Removed in version 130
cPanel	cpanel	Never unmanaged
Developer Tools	cpanel-devel
Privilege Management	cpanel-wrap	Never unmanaged
Exim	exim	Advanced users only
FTP	proftpd / pure-ftpd
Git	git
Mailman	mailman
Munin	munin
MyDNS	mydns	Removed in version 112
NSD	nsd	Removed in version 112
Obsolete services	obsolete
p0f	p0f
phpMyAdmin	phpmy
PAM	pam
Perl 5.32	perl532	Never unmanaged
Perl 5.36	perl536	Never unmanaged
Perl 5.42	perl542	Never unmanaged
PHP	cpanel-php81 / php83 / php84
PowerDNS	powerdns
Roundcube	roundcube
Site Publisher	sitepublisher	Removed in version 134
SQLite	sqlite
User Interface	userinterface
Webalizer	webalizer

6. Set a Target to Unmanaged

Use the following command, replacing service with the target name:

/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/update_local_rpm_versions --edit target_settings.service unmanaged

For FTP, run the command twice:

• pure-ftpd
• proftpd

6.1 Confirm the Target Is Unmanaged

Open:

/var/cpanel/rpm.versions.d/local.versions

Example:

target_settings:
  cpanel-devel: installed
  roundcube: unmanaged

7. Return a Target to Managed

To restore the default managed state:

/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/update_local_rpm_versions --del target_settings.service

For FTP, run the command for both targets.

7.1 Confirm the Target Is Managed

The target should no longer appear in target_settings.

Conclusion

The rpm.versions system is essential for maintaining package stability and compatibility in cPanel & WHM. While you can set targets to unmanaged, doing so should be approached with caution due to potential service issues and upgrade blockers. This guide provides the necessary steps to safely manage or unmanage package targets.