This probably has to do with paths and permissions. The cgi script runs as the web server user (like nobody or apache), while you run as a regular user. The web server user is usually purposely limited to a fixed path (maybe no path at all) and owns only files specifically assigned to it.

The solution is usually to specify a full path like: 

/usr/local/bin/executable

[download]
and to make sure that the web server user can read and execute that file. Then ask yourself whether that script could do anything to harm your system.

Phil

In reply to Re: Why can't a run a system command? by philcrow
in thread Why can't a run a system command? by painthappy

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