This isn't needed in most web setups nowadays. This was only needed when PHP ran as a generic user and needed to write to a folder. Our PHP setup allows the PHP processes to run as your user so normal permissions are all that is required (644 for files, 755 for folders). Using 777 permissions is a security risk as it would allow anyone to write to that folder.
I'd suggest submitting a ticket and providing us a way to duplicate this issue so we can see what's happening. It's unlikely it's a permissions issue.