Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix: Fatal error "unsafe repository ('/home/repon' is owned by someone else)"

Apache error due to Git safety change

Quick Answer: Run the command with elevated privileges using sudo or switch to a different user that owns the repository.

The fatal error "unsafe repository ('/home/repon' is owned by someone else)" occurs when the PHP code attempts to run a Git command that requires elevated privileges. To resolve this issue, you need to modify your PHP code to use a different approach.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The issue arises from using git rev-parse --symbolic-full-name --abbrev-ref HEAD' in PHP code, which requires elevated privileges.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Method 1: Using a Different Git Command

  1. Step 1: Replace git rev-parse --symbolic-full-name --abbrev-ref HEAD' with $_SERVER['HOME'] . DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR . '/home/repon'.

Method 2: Running Git Commands with Sudo

  1. Step 1: Wrap the Git command in a function that runs with elevated privileges using sudo.

💡 Conclusion

By modifying your PHP code to use a different approach, you can resolve the fatal error "unsafe repository ('/home/repon' is owned by someone else)". Remember to test your changes thoroughly to ensure the issue is resolved.

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