Reading an Object's Security Descriptor

The following code example uses the IADs interfaces to enumerate the properties of a directory object's security descriptor, DACL, and the ACEs of the DACL.

The following code example uses the IADs.Get method to retrieve the nTSecurityDescriptor property of the directory object. The C++ version of this method returns a VARIANT that contains an IDispatch pointer. The code example then calls QueryInterface on that IDispatch pointer to get an IADsSecurityDescriptor interface to the object's security descriptor.

The code example then uses IADsSecurityDescriptor methods to retrieve data from the security descriptor. Be aware that the data, available through IADsSecurityDescriptor, depends on the access rights of the caller. The IADsSecurityDescriptor.DiscretionaryAcl and IADsSecurityDescriptor.Owner properties will fail if the caller does not have READ_CONTROL access to the object. Similarly, a call to the get_SystemAcl method would fail if the caller does not have the SE_SECURITY_NAME privilege enabled.

Dim rootDSE As IADs
Dim dsobject As IADs
Dim sd As IADsSecurityDescriptor
Dim dacl As IADsAccessControlList
Dim ace As IADsAccessControlEntry
 
Private Sub Form_Load()

On Error GoTo Cleanup

' Bind to the Users container in the local domain.
Set rootDSE = GetObject("LDAP://rootDSE")
Set dsobject = GetObject("LDAP://cn=users," & rootDSE.Get("defaultNamingContext"))
 
' Read the security descriptor on the Users container.
Set sd = dsobject.Get("ntSecurityDescriptor")
Debug.Print "****SECURITY DESCRIPTOR PROPERTIES****"
Debug.Print "Revision: " & sd.Revision

SDParseControlMasks (sd.Control)
Debug.Print "Owner: " & sd.Owner
Debug.Print "Owner Defaulted: " & sd.OwnerDefaulted
Debug.Print "Group: " & sd.Group
Debug.Print "Group Defaulted: " & sd.GroupDefaulted
Debug.Print "System ACL Defaulted: " & sd.SaclDefaulted
Debug.Print "Discretionary ACL Defaulted: " & sd.DaclDefaulted
Debug.Print "****DACL PROPERTIES****"

Set dacl = sd.DiscretionaryAcl
AceCount = 0
For Each ace In dacl
    AceCount = AceCount + 1
    Debug.Print "**** Properties of ACE " & AceCount & " ****"
    Debug.Print "Trustee: " & ace.Trustee

    SDParseAccessMask (ace.AccessMask)

    AceType = ace.AceType
    If (AceType = &H5) Then
        Debug.Print "ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_ALLOWED_OBJECT"
    ElseIf (AceType = &H6) Then
        Debug.Print "ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_DENIED_OBJECT"
    ElseIf (AceType = &H0) Then
        Debug.Print "ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_ALLOWED"
    ElseIf (AceType = &H1) Then
        Debug.Print "ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_DENIED"
    Else
        Debug.Print "ACE Type: UNKNOWN TYPE: " & Hex(AceType)
    End If

    AceFlags = ace.Flags
    If (AceFlags And &H1) Then
        Debug.Print "Flags: ADS_FLAG_OBJECT_TYPE_PRESENT"
        Debug.Print "ObjectType: " & ace.ObjectType
    End If

    If (AceFlags And &H2) Then
        Debug.Print "Flags: ADS_FLAG_INHERITED_OBJECT_TYPE_PRESENT"
        Debug.Print "InheritedObjectType: " & ace.InheritedObjectType
    End If
Next ace

Cleanup:
    Set rootDSE = Nothing
    Set dsobject = Nothing
    Set sd = Nothing
    Set dacl = Nothing
    Set ace = Nothing

End Sub
 
' SDParseControlMasks
' Print flags set in the security descriptor Control.
Sub SDParseControlMasks(lCtrl As Long)
    Debug.Print "Control Mask: "
    If (lCtrl And &H1) Then Debug.Print "  SE_OWNER_DEFAULTED"
    If (lCtrl And &H2) Then Debug.Print "  SE_GROUP_DEFAULTED"
    If (lCtrl And &H4) Then Debug.Print "  SE_DACL_PRESENT"
    If (lCtrl And &H8) Then Debug.Print "  SE_DACL_DEFAULTED"
    If (lCtrl And &H10) Then Debug.Print "  SE_SACL_PRESENT"
    If (lCtrl And &H20) Then Debug.Print "  SE_SACL_DEFAULTED"
    If (lCtrl And &H400) Then Debug.Print "  SE_DACL_AUTO_INHERITED"
    If (lCtrl And &H800) Then Debug.Print "  SE_SACL_AUTO_INHERITED"
    If (lCtrl And &H1000) Then Debug.Print "  SE_DACL_PROTECTED"
    If (lCtrl And &H2000) Then Debug.Print "  SE_SACL_PROTECTED"
    If (lCtrl And &H8000) Then Debug.Print "  SE_SELF_RELATIVE"
End Sub
 
' SDParseControlMasks
' Print the access rights in an access mask.
Sub SDParseAccessMask(lMask As Long)
    Debug.Print "AccessMask: "
    If (lMask And &H10000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DELETE"
    If (lMask And &H20000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_READ_CONTROL"
    If (lMask And &H40000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_WRITE_DAC"
    If (lMask And &H80000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_WRITE_OWNER"
    If (lMask And &H80000000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_READ"
    If (lMask And &H40000000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_WRITE"
    If (lMask And &H20000000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_EXECUTE"
    If (lMask And &H10000000) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_ALL"
    If (lMask And &H1) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_CREATE_CHILD"
    If (lMask And &H2) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_DELETE_CHILD"
    If (lMask And &H4) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_ACTRL_DS_LIST"
    If (lMask And &H8) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_SELF"
    If (lMask And &H10) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_READ_PROP"
    If (lMask And &H20) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_WRITE_PROP"
    If (lMask And &H40) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_DELETE_TREE"
    If (lMask And &H80) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_LIST_OBJECT"
    If (lMask And &H100) Then Debug.Print "  ADS_RIGHT_DS_CONTROL_ACCESS"
End Sub
HRESULT ReadSecurityDescriptor( IADs *pObject ) 
{
HRESULT hr = E_FAIL;
VARIANT var,varACE;
VARIANT_BOOL boolVal;
IADsSecurityDescriptor *pSD = NULL;
IADsAccessControlList *pACL = NULL;
IADsAccessControlEntry *pACE = NULL;
IEnumVARIANT *pEnum = NULL;
IDispatch *pDisp = NULL;
LPUNKNOWN pUnk = NULL;
ULONG lFetch;
BSTR szObjectType = NULL;
BSTR szTrustee = NULL;
BSTR szProp = NULL;
long lRev,lControl;
long lAceType, lAccessMask, lTypeFlag;
DWORD dwAces = 0;
 
if (NULL == pObject)
    return hr;
 
VariantClear(&var);
 
// Get the nTSecurityDescriptor.
// Type should be VT_DISPATCH - an IDispatch pointer to the security descriptor object.
hr = pObject->Get(CComBSTR("nTSecurityDescriptor"), &var);
if ( FAILED(hr) || var.vt != VT_DISPATCH ) {
    wprintf(L"get nTSecurityDescriptor failed: 0x%x\n", hr);
    goto Cleanup;
}
 
hr = V_DISPATCH( &var )->QueryInterface(IID_IADsSecurityDescriptor,(void**)&pSD);
if ( FAILED(hr) ) {
    wprintf(L"QueryInterface for IADsSecurityDescriptor failed: 0x%x\n", hr);
    goto Cleanup;
}
 
wprintf(L"****SECURITY DESCRIPTOR PROPERTIES****\n");
          
// Get properties using IADsSecurityDescriptor property methods.
hr = pSD->get_Revision(&lRev);
wprintf(L"Revision: %d\n", lRev);
          
// Print the control mask bits.
hr = pSD->get_Control(&lControl);
wprintf(L"Control Mask: \n");
SDParseControlMasks(lControl);
 
hr = pSD->get_Owner(&szProp);
wprintf(L"Owner: %s\n", szProp);
if (szProp)
    SysFreeString(szProp);
 
hr = pSD->get_OwnerDefaulted(&boolVal);
wprintf(L"Owner Defaulted: %s\n", boolVal ? L"True" : L"False");
 
hr = pSD->get_Group(&szProp);
wprintf(L"Group: %s\n", szProp);
if (szProp)
    SysFreeString(szProp);
 
hr = pSD->get_GroupDefaulted(&boolVal);
wprintf(L"Group Defaulted: %s\n", boolVal ? L"True" : L"False");
 
hr = pSD->get_SaclDefaulted(&boolVal);
wprintf(L"System ACL Defaulted: %s\n", boolVal ? L"True" : L"False");
 
hr = pSD->get_DaclDefaulted(&boolVal);
wprintf(L"Discretionary ACL Defaulted: %s\n", boolVal ? L"True" : L"False");
 
// Get the DACL.
wprintf(L"****DACL PROPERTIES****\n");
hr = pSD->get_DiscretionaryAcl(&pDisp);
if (SUCCEEDED(hr)) 
{
    hr = pDisp->QueryInterface(IID_IADsAccessControlList, (void**)&pACL);
    if (SUCCEEDED(hr)) 
    {
        hr = pACL->get__NewEnum( &pUnk );
        if (SUCCEEDED(hr)) 
        {
            hr = pUnk->QueryInterface( IID_IEnumVARIANT, (void**) &pEnum );
        }
    }
}
if ( FAILED(hr) ) {
    wprintf(L"Could not get DACL: 0x%x\n", hr);
    goto Cleanup;
}
 
// Loop to read all ACEs on the object.
hr = pEnum->Next( 1, &varACE, &lFetch );
while ( (hr == S_OK) && (lFetch == 1) && (varACE.vt==VT_DISPATCH))
{
    // QueryInterface for an IADsAccessControlEntry to use to read the ACE.
    hr = V_DISPATCH(&varACE)->QueryInterface( 
                           IID_IADsAccessControlEntry, (void**)&pACE );
    if ( FAILED(hr) ) {
        wprintf(L"QI for IADsAccessControlEntry failed: 0x%x\n", hr);
        break;
    }
 
    wprintf(L"**** Properties of ACE %u ****\n", ++dwAces);
 
    // Get the trustee that the ACE applies to and print it.
    hr = pACE->get_Trustee(&szTrustee);
    if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
    {
        wprintf(L"Trustee: %s\n", szTrustee);
        if (szTrustee)
            SysFreeString(szTrustee);
    }
 
    // Get the AceMask.
    hr = pACE->get_AccessMask(&lAccessMask);
    if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
    {
        wprintf(L"AccessMask: \n");
        SDParseAccessMask(lAccessMask);
    }
 
    // Get the AceType.
    hr = pACE->get_AceType(&lAceType);
    if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
    {
        if (lAceType == ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_ALLOWED_OBJECT)
            wprintf(L"ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_ALLOWED_OBJECT\n");
        else if (lAceType == ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_DENIED_OBJECT)
            wprintf(L"ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_DENIED_OBJECT\n");
        else if (lAceType == ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_ALLOWED)
            wprintf(L"ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_ALLOWED\n");
        else if (lAceType == ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_DENIED)
            wprintf(L"ACE Type: ADS_ACETYPE_ACCESS_DENIED\n");
        else
            wprintf(L"ACE Type: UNKNOWN TYPE: %x\n", lAceType);
    }
 
    // Get the flags. Based on flags, get objecttype and inheritedobjecttype.
    hr = pACE->get_Flags(&lTypeFlag);
    if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
    {
        // If the object type GUID is present, print it.
        if (lTypeFlag & ADS_FLAG_OBJECT_TYPE_PRESENT)
        {
            wprintf(L"Flags: ADS_FLAG_OBJECT_TYPE_PRESENT\n");
            hr = pACE->get_ObjectType(&szObjectType);
            if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
            {
                wprintf(L"ObjectType: %s\n", szObjectType);
                if (szObjectType)
                    SysFreeString(szObjectType);
            }
        }
 
        // If the inherited object type GUID is present, print it.
        if (lTypeFlag & ADS_FLAG_INHERITED_OBJECT_TYPE_PRESENT)
        {
            wprintf(L"Flags: ADS_FLAG_INHERITED_OBJECT_TYPE_PRESENT\n");
            hr = pACE->get_InheritedObjectType(&szObjectType);
            if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
            {
                wprintf(L"InheritedObjectType: %s\n", szObjectType);
                if (szObjectType)
                    SysFreeString(szObjectType);
            }
        }
    }
 
    // Cleanup the enumerated ACE item.
    if (pACE)
        pACE->Release();
 
    // Cleanup the VARIANT for the ACE item.
    VariantClear(&varACE);
 
    // Get the next ACE.
    hr = pEnum->Next( 1, &varACE, &lFetch );
 
} // End of While loop
 
Cleanup:
if (pEnum)
    pEnum->Release();
if (pUnk)
    pUnk->Release();
if (pACL)
    pACL->Release();
if (pDisp)
    pDisp->Release();
if (pSD)
    pSD->Release();
VariantClear(&var);
return hr;
}
 
// ******************************************************************
//  SDParseControlMasks
//  Function to print Control flags.
// ******************************************************************
int SDParseControlMasks( long lCtrl )
{
int iReturn = TRUE;
 
if (lCtrl & SE_OWNER_DEFAULTED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_OWNER_DEFAULTED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_GROUP_DEFAULTED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_GROUP_DEFAULTED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_DACL_PRESENT)
    wprintf(L"  SE_DACL_PRESENT\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_DACL_DEFAULTED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_DACL_DEFAULTED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_SACL_PRESENT)
    wprintf(L"  SE_SACL_PRESENT\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_SACL_DEFAULTED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_SACL_DEFAULTED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_DACL_AUTO_INHERIT_REQ)
    wprintf(L"  SE_DACL_AUTO_INHERIT_REQ\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_SACL_AUTO_INHERIT_REQ)
    wprintf(L"  SE_SACL_AUTO_INHERIT_REQ\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_DACL_AUTO_INHERITED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_DACL_AUTO_INHERITED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_SACL_AUTO_INHERITED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_SACL_AUTO_INHERITED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_DACL_PROTECTED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_DACL_PROTECTED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_SACL_PROTECTED)
    wprintf(L"  SE_SACL_PROTECTED\n");
 
if (lCtrl & SE_SELF_RELATIVE)
    wprintf(L"  SE_OWNER_DEFAULTED\n");
 
return iReturn;
 
}
 
// ******************************************************************
//  SDParseAccessMask
//  Function to print AccessMask flags.
// ******************************************************************
int SDParseAccessMask( long lCtrl )
{
    int iReturn = TRUE;
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DELETE)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DELETE\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_READ_CONTROL)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_READ_CONTROL\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_WRITE_DAC)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_WRITE_DAC\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_WRITE_OWNER)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_WRITE_OWNER\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_READ)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_READ\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_WRITE)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_WRITE\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_EXECUTE)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_EXECUTE\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_ALL)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_GENERIC_ALL\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_CREATE_CHILD)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_CREATE_CHILD\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_DELETE_CHILD)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_DELETE_CHILD\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_ACTRL_DS_LIST)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_ACTRL_DS_LIST\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_SELF)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_SELF\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_READ_PROP)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_READ_PROP\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_WRITE_PROP)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_WRITE_PROP\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_DELETE_TREE)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_DELETE_TREE\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_LIST_OBJECT)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_LIST_OBJECT\n");
 
if (lCtrl & ADS_RIGHT_DS_CONTROL_ACCESS)
    wprintf(L"  ADS_RIGHT_DS_CONTROL_ACCESS\n");
 
return iReturn;
 
}