Executing Perl Scripts Generates 403 Access Forbidden Error (161559)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Information Server 2.0
Microsoft Internet Information Server 3.0

This article was previously published under Q161559

We strongly recommend that all users upgrade to Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 6.0 running on Microsoft Windows Server 2003. IIS 6.0 significantly increases Web infrastructure security. For more information about IIS security-related topics, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/IIS.mspx

SYMPTOMS

After you install Perl, the following error message may appear when you execute a Perl script from the Scripts virtual directory:

HTTP/1.0 403 Access Forbidden (Read Access Denied - This Virtual
Directory does not allow objects to be read.)

CAUSE

During the installation of Perl, a registry entry is added to the following subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\W3Svc\Parameters
   \Script Map\.pl : Reg_Sz : Path:\PerlIS.Dll

This registry entry specifies that a file with the extension .pl can be executed in a virtual directory and calls the PerlIs.dll interpreter.

WORKAROUND

All Internet Services must be stopped and then restarted after installing Perl for Windows NT. The registry change will not take effect until the services have been restarted.

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	6/23/2005
Keywords:	kberrmsg KB161559