Is it somehow possible to upgrade SMF without access to server?

[MortenJ]

I was wondering if it is somehow possible to upgrade SMF without access to the server? I'm asking since I'm admin on a forum where the owner has completely abandoned it. I don't know that much about SMF so any help is appreciated.
I was able to install SMF 2.0 RC4 Security Patch as a package, but I'm also wondering if the forum if safe to use for the members when it is a bit outdated?
The current version of the forum is SMF 2.0 RC4.

Thanks in advance!
- MortenJ

[Storman™]

I'm asking since I'm admin on a forum where the owner has completely abandoned it.

Legally you wouldn't be allowed to as an Admin.

The owner has "ownership" and "responsibility" even if it's outdated.

If the owner granted permission then ideally you'd need the FTP details at least.

[Arantor]

You won't be able to upgrade beyond that without FTP details unless you're *extremely* nuts about creating all the changes since 2.0 RC4 as a mod package. (That's bordering on being a few days work unless you really know what you're doing)

Thing is... if it's abandoned, how is hosting being paid for?

[MortenJ]

Thanks for the answers Storman and Arantor!

You won't be able to upgrade beyond that without FTP details unless you're *extremely* nuts about creating all the changes since 2.0 RC4 as a mod package. (That's bordering on being a few days work unless you really know what you're doing)

Thing is... if it's abandoned, how is hosting being paid for?

He is still paying for hosting, and he is still updating the site just not the forums, and it's so difficult to get in contact with him unfortunately. 
But is it unsafe to use the forum when it hasn't been updated for a long time and the current version is 2.0 RC4?

[Arantor]

There *are* security changes in RC5 and final (and that's what 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 represent), so I would argue that it should be upgraded if at all possible.

That said, my opinion of the changes is that they're not absolutely colossal security changes, and that upgrading should be a priority but it can wait until the owner can sort out either upgrading himself, or until he's prepared to pass on the information to others to enable them to do so. RC4 is, effectively, a pre-release beta version and there are bugs in it that have been fixed (not just security ones) in later versions.