Unable to connect to the Plesk server via FTP using an additional FTP user: Invalid shell: '/bin/false'

Symptoms

• When connecting to the server via FTP using an additional FTP account, connection fails with:

  CONFIG_TEXT: Response: 530 Login incorrect.
  Error: Critical error: Could not connect to server

• The following error message is logged in /var/log/plesk/xferlog, /var/log/secure or /var/log/auth.log:

  CONFIG_TEXT: proftpd[851]: 0.0.0.0 (203.0.113.2[203.0.113.2]) - USER john_doe (Login failed): Invalid shell: '/bin/false'

Cause

/bin/false is not listed in the /etc/shells file.

Resolution

1. Connect to your Plesk server via SSH.

2. Create a backup file of the FTP configuration file:

   # cp -a /etc/proftpd.conf{.bak}

3. Open the file /etc/proftpd.conf in a text editor.

4. Add the following directory at the end of the file:

   CONFIG_TEXT: RequireValidShell no

5. Save the changes and close the file.