We use a base build template for most of our site builds, and until a few months ago we have not had a problem re-writing the sitemap url to sitemap.xml. The rule we use is:
RewriteRule ^sitemap.xml$ index.php?option=com_osmap&view=xml&tmpl=component&id=1 [L]
On thissite the rewrite rule works correctly. The site is running PHP 7.1.15 with Joomla version 3.8.5. However, a current development site here using the exact same rewrite rule and running the same PHP version but on Joomla 3.8.10 just shows a 404 page. I have also had the same experience on a number of sites built recently and have been forced to used the raw sitemap url in the robots.txt rather than the much cleaner sitemap.xml.
I can't for the life of me figure out why these redirects no longer work. The htaccess files on both sites use the same content albeit taylored to the individual site.
My full htaccesss for the site that is not working is below:
##
# @package Joomla
# @copyright Copyright (C) 2005 - 2014 Open Source Matters. All rights reserved.
# @license GNU General Public License version 2 or later; see LICENSE.txt
##
##
# READ THIS COMPLETELY IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE THIS FILE!
#
# The line just below this section: 'Options +FollowSymLinks' may cause problems
# with some server configurations. It is required for use of mod_rewrite, but may already
# be set by your server administrator in a way that dissallows changing it in
# your .htaccess file. If using it causes your server to error out, comment it out (add # to
# beginning of line), reload your site in your browser and test your sef url's. If they work,
# it has been set by your server administrator and you do not need it set here.
##
## Can be commented out if causes errors, see notes above.
Options +FollowSymLinks
## Mod_rewrite in use.
RewriteEngine On
## Begin - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits.
# If you experience problems on your site block out the operations listed below
# This attempts to block the most common type of exploit `attempts` to Joomla!
#
# Block out any script trying to base64_encode data within the URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} base64_encode[^(]*\([^)]*\) [OR]
# Block out any script that includes a <script> tag in URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (<|%3C)([^s]*s)+cript.*(>|%3E) [NC,OR]
# Block out any script trying to set a PHP GLOBALS variable via URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} GLOBALS(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2}) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to modify a _REQUEST variable via URL.
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} _REQUEST(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2})
# Return 403 Forbidden header and show the content of the root homepage
RewriteRule .* index.php [F]
#
## End - Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits.
## Begin - Custom redirects
IndexIgnore *
Options -Indexes
#Force non-www:
#RewriteEngine on
#RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.domain\.com [NC]
#RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://domain.com/$1 [L,R=301]
#Force www:
#RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^domain.com [NC]
#RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.domain.com/$1 [L,R=301,NC]
### Rewrite sitemap url
RewriteRule ^sitemap.xml$ index.php?option=com_osmap&view=xml&tmpl=component&id=1 [L]
#
# If you need to redirect some pages, or set a canonical non-www to
# www redirect (or vice versa), place that code here. Ensure those
# redirects use the correct RewriteRule syntax and the [R=301,L] flags.
#
## End - Custom redirects
##
# Uncomment following line if your webserver's URL
# is not directly related to physical file paths.
# Update Your Joomla! Directory (just / for root).
##
RewriteBase /
## Begin - Joomla! core SEF Section.
#
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]
#
# If the requested path and file is not /index.php and the request
# has not already been internally rewritten to the index.php script
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index\.php
# and the requested path and file doesn't directly match a physical file
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
# and the requested path and file doesn't directly match a physical folder
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
# internally rewrite the request to the index.php script
RewriteRule .* index.php [L]
#
## End - Joomla! core SEF Section.
Is there anyway I can trouble shoot this issue?
Thank you in advance. Donna
