Permissions for copying files on Apache

[Anon]

I'm working on a script that accepts file uploads for storage and retrieval across the web. For some reason, I get "Permission Denied" errors unless I set this file-storage directory for world write AND execute permissions.
I don't want to give my users execute permission in this directory, for obvious reasons. Does anyone know why Apache wants execute permission in order to write files to this directory? Does anyone know a way around this?

Thanks.

[brandonschnell]

from what i understand, unix uses the execute permission on folders to allow the user to access/browse the contents of a folder. setting the execute permission on the folder should be fine.

[kennethl]

But doesn't execute permission also allow people to run scripts, etc. in that directory? I don't want to give my users the ability to execute things they themselves have uploaded into that directory.

[brandonschnell]

not necessarily. the files themselves have to have the execute permission so that they could be run. typically the only way a web page could even execute a local program is if the program is in the /cgi-bin/ directory.

[kennethl]

Cool. Thanks for the info.