Application installation security issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tony L
  • Start date Start date
T

Tony L

Hi,
I have come across an application that won't run for a normal network user.
I installed it as an administrator and it works fine, when I log out and log
in as a user, the program fails with an error that it can't open a file. This
is definitely a security problem but I have tried everything I know to
overcome it. All suggestions would be appreciated
 
You install "a program", login as "a user", the program fails with "an
error" that it can't open "a file". And "everything I know" doesn't fix
things.

This is not fill-in-the-blanks my friend.
 
Just to clarify.. "a user" = any domain user, "Can't open a file" = the file
is specific to the application so thought it wasn't necessary but here is the
error.. "can't open file C:\program files\pinnacle\cubasis vst\cubasis.eng.
I have tried installing the app as a local administrator and a domain
administrator, I have also installed the app as a domain user but run the
program as a local administrator. I have also ajusted the security settings
in the pinnacle directory to allow read and execute access.
 
Tony said:
Hi,
I have come across an application that won't run for a normal network user.
I installed it as an administrator and it works fine, when I log out and log
in as a user, the program fails with an error that it can't open a file. This
is definitely a security problem but I have tried everything I know to
overcome it. All suggestions would be appreciated


You may experience some problems if the software was designed for
Win9x/Me, or if it was intended for WinNT/2K/XP, but was improperly
designed. Quite simply, the application doesn't "know" how to handle
individual user profiles with differing security permissions levels, or
the application is designed to make to make changes to "off-limits"
sections of the Windows registry or protected Windows system folders.

For example, saved data are often stored in a sub-folder under the
application's folder within C:\Program Files - a place where no
inexperienced or limited user should ever have write permissions.

It may even be that the software requires "write" access to parts
of the registry or protected systems folders/files that are not normally
accessible to regular users. (This *won't* occur if the application is
properly written.) If this does prove to be the case, however, you're
often left with three options: Either grant the necessary users
appropriate higher access privileges (either as Power Users or local
administrators), explicitly grant normal users elevated privileges to
the affected folders and/or part(s) or the registry, or replace the
application with one that was properly designed specifically for
WinNT/2K/XP.

Some Programs Do Not Work If You Log On from Limited Account
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q307091

Additionally, here are a couple of tips suggested, in a reply to a
different post, by MS-MVP Kent W. England:

"If your game or application works with admin accounts, but not with
limited accounts, you can fix it to allow limited users to access the
program files folder with "change" capability rather than "read" which
is the default.

C:\>cacls "Program Files\appfolder" /e /t /p users:c

where "appfolder" is the folder where the application is installed.

If you wish to undo these changes, then run

C:\>cacls "Program Files\appfolder" /e /t /p users:r

If you still have a problem with running the program or saving settings
on limited accounts, you may need to change permissions on the registry
keys. Run regedit.exe and go to HKLM\Software\vendor\app, where
"vendor\app" is the key that the software vendor used for your specific
program. Change the permissions on this key to allow Users full control."



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
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