PHP sendmail_path not getting updated

Environment: Debian 7; PHP 5.4.39; Apache 2.2; ISPConfig

Using the Perfect Server Debian guide from howtoforge, I built a web server to serve some PHP applications. My intention is to use an external SMTP server with the php mail() function. I have uninstalled postfix, installed MSMTP updated the sendmail_path in my php.ini file.

I have also confirmed the MSMTP settings work. After updating my php.ini file and restarting the server, phpinfo() still shows the old sendmail_path /usr/sbin/sendmail -t -i -fwebmaster@$domain.com instead of my custom MSMTP path "/usr/bin/msmtp -C /etc/msmtprc --logfile /var/log/msmtp.log -a $domain -t"

From phpinfo(), the loaded configuration file is /etc/php5/cgi/php.ini. However, when I run php -i | grep Configuration at shell, I get Loaded Configuration File => /etc/php5/cli/php.ini (notice the difference in paths?).

Notwithstanding, I proceeded to update the paths for both files, including all others found. They are about 4 different versions at these locations:

• /etc/php5/apache2/php.ini
• /etc/php5/cgi/php.ini
• /etc/php5/cli/php.ini
• /etc/php5/fpm/php.ini

ISPConfig lets you choose to run hosted websites under different PHP configurations so I assumed these multiple files were for different configurations. However, even after updating all files and restarting the server, phpinfo() still displays the old sendmail_path.

Further Diagnosis: I have uploaded a simple php script that uses the mail() function to dispatch an e-mail to my address. When the script is called from the browser, it fails with the error contained, however running it at shell php /path/to/script/mail.php successfully sends the e-mail and I receive it.

My questions:

• How can I PHP scripts on this server to relay mail using MSMTP?
• How can I get phpinfo() to display the correct path?
• Why am I able to execute the mail.php script at shell and not through the browser, even though www-data (the web server user) has access rights?