Softaculous giving ioncube error after cpanel update to version v120.0.12

In cPanel version 120.0.12, cPanel has upgraded internal PHP version to PHP 8.3. When this update released, ionCube did not release supported loader for PHP 8.3.

If you are using Softaculous, it also depends on ionCube Loader to decode the code. Because of internal PHP version upgrade to PHP 8.3, you may see the following or similar error while accessing Softaculous option in cPanel:

Script error: the ionCube Loader for PHP needs to be installed. The ionCube Loader is the industry standard PHP extension for running protected PHP code, and can usually be added easily to a PHP installation. For Loaders please visit: https://get-loader.ioncube.com For an instructional video please see: http://ioncu.be/LV Child failed to make LIVEAPI connection to cPanel.

cPanel has opened an internal case RE-532 to address this. In the meantime, you can apply the following workaround to fix the error:

1. Login to your server via SSH with root or sudo privileges.

2. Execute the following commands:

mkdir /root/ioncube13
cd /root/ioncube13/
wget -O ioncube_loaders_13_lin_x86-64.zip https://downloads.ioncube.com/loader_downloads/ioncube_loaders_lin_x86-64.zip
unzip ioncube_loaders_13_lin_x86-64.zip
vi /usr/local/cpanel/3rdparty/php/83/etc/php.ini

3. Search for the following line :

zend_extension ="/usr/local/cpanel/3rdparty/php/unversioned/ioncube/ioncube_loader_lin_8.3.so"

4. Comment that line by adding a ; (semi-colon) at the start of that line and then add the following line under that line :

zend_extension = /root/ioncube13/ioncube/ioncube_loader_lin_8.3.so

5. Save the php.ini file.

Now, Softaculous should work fine. Once cPanel releases a patch to address ionCube Loader error, it should automatically overwrite this php.ini file hence you do not require to reverse any changes.