The example of setting open_basdir to docroot has the effect of protecting files outside the web site but does NOT PROTECT files INSIDE the website, and could be construed as a suggested use. There is no reason to use open_basedir at all except to protect from misbehaving scripts. If there is a misbehaving script, one would not like it to delete, modify or upload files to the core website either. An example of a safer setting for open_basedir would be /docroot/safedir (or as is used in doc page "Description of core php.ini directives",open_basedir Note, to tighten it from /www/ to /www/tmp).