Sub-directory and File Permissions Not Set on Macintosh Volume

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.0 and 1.1

SYMPTOMS

When Microsoft Systems Management Server creates a Macintosh volume (SMS_SHR for example), it does not create file-level permissions for any sub-directories. This results in Macintosh systems having write privileges for the LOGON.SRV\MAC.BIN and other sub-directories.

CAUSE

The SMS_MAINTENANCE_MANAGER service does not set the Macintosh file permissions on the ..\LOGON.SRV directory on servers where Windows NT Services for Macintosh have been installed. Macintosh directory permissions (which are similar but not the same as Windows NT file and directory permissions) default to write access on ..\LOGON.SRV and its sub- directories. This creates a security leak, since some user could replace executable files in the ".BIN" directories.

WORKAROUND

Once the Macintosh volume is created by the SMS_SITE_CONFIG_MANAGER service, the SMS_MAINTENANCE_MANANGER service ignores permissions if it updates these directories during the normal maintenance cycle. This allows the Systems Management Server administrator to configure the sub-directory and file permissions manually to deny Macintosh users write privileges.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server versions 1.0 and 1.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.