File Permissions Ignored if You Start File Manager From OSB

Last reviewed: September 16, 1996
Article ID: Q146604
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT, version 3.51
  • Microsoft Office for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

When you start File Manager in Windows NT 3.51 from the Office Shortcut Bar, you may be able to see files in a folder (directory) to which you have no permissions.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are met:

  • You log on to an NT File System (NTFS) in Windows NT as an administrator.

    -and-

  • You create a folder and remove all users who have permission to access the folder.

    -and-

  • You grant a user other than yourself all permissions to access the folder.

    -and-

  • You add File Manager to the Office Shortcut Bar, and then you start File Manager by clicking the button on the Office Shortcut Bar.

    -and-

  • You open the folder that you had previously created as the administrator to which you no longer have permissions.

This problem occurs because the Office Shortcut Bar enables backup and restore permissions in order to write user settings in the registry. When you start a program, such as File Manager, from the Office Shortcut Bar, the program inherits the backup and restore permissions from the Office Shortcut Bar and you are able to see files in a folder to which you do not have permission.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Office versions 7.0a and 7.0b for Windows 95.

MORE INFORMATION

When you exercise backup and restore permissions, Windows NT allows you to bypass file security to back up files.


KBCategory: kbusage kbenv
KBSubcategory: offwin

Additional reference words: 7.00 security hole view read privileges OSB



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Last reviewed: September 16, 1996
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