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9. PHP, LAMP and LEMP Step by Step

9.2 Installing PHP on Amazon Linux 2023 and Ubuntu

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Also in the AWS course: this lesson is the same as 10.3 PHP with MySQL in the AWS course, which is the main version of this page.

OS + web server Install command PHP handler
AL2023 + Nginx or Apache sudo yum install -​y php php-​fpm php-​mysqlnd php-​cli PHP-FPM socket /​run/​php-​fpm/​www.​sock
CentOS Stream 9 + Nginx or Apache sudo yum install -​y php php-​fpm php-​mysqlnd php-​cli PHP-FPM socket /​run/​php-​fpm/​www.​sock
Ubuntu + Nginx sudo apt install -​y php-​fpm php-​mysql PHP-FPM socket /​run/​php/​php8.​x-​fpm.​sock
Ubuntu + Apache sudo apt install -​y php libapache2-​mod-​php php-​mysql Apache mod_php (no FPM needed)

On AL2023 / CentOS, start PHP-FPM and restart the web server:

sudo service php-fpm start
sudo systemctl enable php-fpm
sudo service nginx restart        # or: sudo service httpd restart
php -v

On Amazon Linux 2023 and CentOS, Apache is automatically wired to PHP-FPM by /etc/httpd/conf.d/php.conf, and the default Nginx server is wired by /etc/nginx/default.d/php.conf. For your own Nginx server block, add the PHP location shown below.

Ravindra Bagale's Tip

You installed PHP on Amazon Linux but didn't start php-fpm – then Nginx gives "502 Bad Gateway" and students get confused. 502 means Nginx couldn't find the program behind it (PHP-FPM). Check sudo service php-fpm status first.

Practice task

Install PHP on both instances and run php -v and php -m | grep -i mysql to confirm the MySQL extension is loaded.

Extended teaching notes

Why this lesson matters

Use this lesson to strengthen systems you own: understand the risk, practise safely in a lab, then write and apply the fix.

Apply the fix across stacks

Same class of bug, same idea in every language.

Java / Spring Boot

Parameterise queries, encode output, CSRF tokens, limited Actuator, dependency scanning.

ASP.NET Core

EF Core / parameterised SQL, Razor encoding, HTTPS, Data Protection.

Node.js / Express

helmet, parameterised SQL, npm audit, avoid eval and shell concat.

Python / Django / Flask / FastAPI

ORM, autoescape, pip-audit, Bandit; never shell=True with user input.

PHP / Laravel

PDO/Eloquent, Blade escaping, composer audit.

Go / Ruby

database/sql placeholders / ActiveRecord; html/template / ERB escaping; govulncheck / Brakeman.

nginx / Apache / Tomcat

Hide versions, TLS, security headers, least-open ports.

MySQL / PostgreSQL / MongoDB / Redis

Private networks, auth on, least-privilege users, no 0.0.0.0/0.

AWS / Azure / GCP

Roles not long-lived keys, private data stores, cloud audit logs on.

Mini case study

Suppose we are on a purple-team exercise for an Indian mid-size company (sample data). Red notes a technique from this lesson against a lab clone. Blue must show the control that stops it, the log that would have fired, and the ticket that hardens production. That is the standard this course trains you for.

Defender's worksheet (do this today)

  1. Write the lesson title, date and the exact lab target you are allowed to use.
  2. List three owned systems (VMs, apps, or cloud accounts) where this lesson applies.
  3. Run one safe check from the lesson on a lab system only. Paste the command and output.
  4. Write a two-sentence fix you would give a teammate.
  5. Name one related public advisory (CERT-In, CISA, NVD, or a vendor bulletin) with its date.

Indian workplace (sample data)

Suppose we are a junior analyst at Infosys, TCS, Wipro or a fintech SOC in Bengaluru/Pune. Turn this lesson into one checklist item with an owner, a due date and a place to store evidence (ticket + screenshot).

Global practice

Compare your notes with OWASP, CIS Benchmarks, NIST CSF/IR guidance or a cloud Well-Architected security question. Write five lines on what overlaps.

Everyday analogy

Explain the risk and the fix to a family member without jargon. If they can repeat the warning, you understand it well enough to teach juniors.

Key terms

  • Control: a safeguard (patch, config, process, detection).
  • Finding: a weakness backed by evidence.
  • Remediation: the fix plus how you verified it.
  • Scope: systems you have written permission to touch.
  • Least privilege: only the access the task needs.
  • Defence in depth: several layers so one failure does not end the story.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping written permission "just for a quick scan".
  • Practising on hostel, office or public targets without authorisation.
  • Collecting tool output without writing the fix.
  • Copying attack steps onto production to "verify". Defenders verify with versions, configs and patches.
  • Publishing screenshots that contain secrets, cookies or internal hostnames.

Recap

  • Evidence, fix, owner, date.
  • Own lab only.
  • Fix > spectacle.