vbHacker & vbHackMaker

Version 1.0.1 released! [March 25th, 18:30]
New:
~ Backup files: Now the script will backup files before editing them. You can disable this, and also change the extension of the backup file. (note: the folder in which the files reside must be writable)
~ CHMOD: The script will try to CHMOD files instead of just dying. The parent folder must be writable if you want the script to CHMOD files in it.
~ Another small fix there's not much to say about.

Ok here's something I wrote yesterday, and today after testing it on serveral forums I can finally release it.

What is it?
vbHacker is a script that automatically installs hacks for you. It takes a xxxxx.hack.php file and comes up with the install script for it. This means you only need vbhacker.php to sit in your admin folder, and just upload data files every time you want to install a new hack.

How does one create hack files?
To make these xxxxx.hack.php data files, please read the post about vbHackMaker:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...&postid=231705

The script does the following:
~ Hack files (only PHP have access to write that file)
~ Install new templates
~ Update existing templates
~ Run queries
If anything fails, the script skips it. Then you are taken to a page that lists all the changes the script couldn't do, with instructions how to do them yourself.

You also have the option to generate a plain text file with complete hacking instructions, in case you prefer that.
The installer also checks for your vBulletin version, warning you if the versions mismatch.

I took some screen shots earlier of the various steps.

Hack chooser - This is the part where you see a list of all hacks you have and you can choose which one, and whether to install it or create a text file:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/1_chooser.gif
For the next screen shots I chose the Quick Reply Box hack.

Elements to install - There you can choose what parts of the hack you want to install. There are four main parts: File hacks, new templates, template edits and queries. This is good for upgrades if you only want to update the templates, and nothing else.
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/2_quick_elements.gif

Specific changes - A more specific step that allows you to select exactly what changes to what files/templates you want to make. Once again, this is helpful when upgrading.
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/3_quick_config.gif

Auto installer - The core of the script that actually installs the hack. This is how it looks like when it works fine:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/4_quick_auto_ok.gif
And this is how it looks like when something went wrong (because I made it go wrong ):
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/5_quick_auto_bad.gif

Manual mode - An optional step that you will only use if the auto installer had some problems. It just lists the changes you need to do yourself:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/6_quick_manual.gif

Text file - If you want to generate a text file with the full instructions to install the hack:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/7_quick_text.gif

The style for my Admin CP was done by kier.

Well, hope you like what you see. I will start releasing my hacks with this installer soon, so you can see it in action. A script that creates these data files will probably come soon, so everyone will be able to use this for their own hacks.

Attached is the script, version 1.0.1.
Just upload it to your /admin folder, and you're done. Whenever you need to install a new hack just go to /admin/vbhacker.php in your browser.

[roscoluxxx]

Have either of these been used on 2.2.5?

[Vivi Ornitier]

all I can say is this hack 0wnz!!

thanks Firefly

[Zaphod]

Could you add a notes section to your files where you could list the xtra php files if there are any? It could also be usefull for notes about versions etc.?

[cditty]

One suggestion....Instead of dropping all the hack files in the admin directory, I would prefer to have a "hack" directory and put them there. It would help keep the admin directory less cluttered.

Just a thought.

Chris

[orozery]

Nice hack FireFly

Altough installing hacks is not as hard as uninstalling hacks

[John]

This would be brilliant - but it never works for me!! I always get errors:

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: wordwrap() in /home/eovie/public_html/forum/admin/vbhacker.php on line 449
(On the third page)

Warning: Variable passed to reset() is not an array or object in /home/eovie/public_html/forum/admin/vbhacker.php on line 278
(On the second page, a different hack)

I haven't managed to get any hack working properly with this. And yes, all directories were set to 777 (and files)

Help?!

[Admin]

You must have PHP 4.0.2 and higher to use this, since it's using wordwrap().

[John]

Uh oh, reply by email didn't seem to work

Apparently I'm running the latest version of php <confused>

[Rose]

How do you know which version of php you are using?



And a side note - by setting the file/folder permissions to 777, does this pose a threat to the integrity of security? I don't know a lot about it. :s


I got the vbhacker workign beautifully - love it! Thanks, Chen. however, I don't seem to have the 'multiple reply' hack workign (via vbhacker), though this isn't the place for that. Thanks again!

[John]

Well, my hosts tell me I'm running version 4.1.2, which by my maths suggests I pass the 4.0.2 minimum...I think. <scratches head>

Any ideas?

[merk]

Originally posted by cditty
No wakey wakey. Sleepy, sleepy.

I do because that is what I started with and my forum is now listed with google. If I change it to php, I loose all my google hits.

Correct? Or is there some hocus pokcus I can do to fix that?

Chris

There is a method to get around this.

You could either use mod_rewrite, or make a custom 404 error template, that would redirect the user using the variables in each url..

I think the theory would be similar to an oldish hack released by overgrown(i think) - vBSpiderFriend , have a look for it

[amykhar]

Chen, can you make a dropdown for the hacks forum, similar to the one that shows the version that the hack is released for, that shows if the hack is vbhacker compatible?

That would be a BIG selling point for some hacks. I know I plan on using vbhacker for any hacks that I create or install in the future.

Amy

[John]

I was going to ask the same thing - it's a pain having to go through all of the hacks trying to figure out which ones are vBHacker compatible.

[el3m3nt]

problem with the vbhacker.php:

i created with vbhackmaker.php a xxxx.hack.php and now want to create a txt-file.
when i load the vbhacker.php, in the select-form.. there are no hack-names and hackwriter-nicks displayed. when i chose one.. and want to create a text file.. i got the following error:

Warning: Variable passed to reset() is not an array or object in /public_html/admin/vbhacker.php on line 278

hope somebody.. can help me, cause i would love to use this tool .

[NTLDR]

Have you got the xxx.hack.php in the same directory as vbhacker.php and vbhackmaker.php? Which should be your forum/admin directory.