[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #47868: wp_delete_attachment returning successfully, deleting all DB data, but NOT deleting files, and NOT returning false

[WordPress Trac]

#47868: wp_delete_attachment returning successfully, deleting all DB data, but NOT
deleting files, and NOT returning false
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 Reporter:  Jossnaz                 |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  defect (bug)            |      Status:  closed
 Priority:  normal                  |   Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  Media                   |     Version:
 Severity:  normal                  |  Resolution:  wontfix
 Keywords:  has-patch dev-feedback  |     Focuses:
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Changes (by callumbw95):

 * status:  new => closed
 * resolution:   => wontfix


Comment:

 Hi All,

 After reviewing the function's behavior and the discussion here, it's
 clear that this is not a bug in WordPress Core.

 The `wp_delete_attachment()` function is responsible for deleting the post
 entry and its associated metadata from the database. The actual file
 deletion is handled by `wp_delete_file()`, which is hooked into the
 delete_attachment action. If the database entries are removed but the
 files remain, it indicates that the function itself executed successfully,
 but the hooked action to delete the files failed.

 This failure is almost always due to incorrect file permissions on the
 server, where the web server process lacks the rights to delete files from
 the `wp-content/uploads` directory. WordPress Core cannot and should not
 bypass server-level permissions. The responsibility for ensuring correct
 file permissions lies with the server administrator.

 Since the core function is behaving as designed, I am closing this ticket
 as `wontfix`.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/47868#comment:6>
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