VBScript WindowsSecurity Method
last modified April 9, 2025
The WindowsSecurity method in VBScript is part of the
FileSystemObject security features. It provides access to Windows
file system security settings and permissions. This method allows scripts to
manage file and folder security programmatically. It's essential for
administrative scripts that need to control access rights.
WindowsSecurity enables checking and modifying ACLs (Access Control
Lists) through VBScript. It works with both NTFS and share permissions. This
tutorial covers WindowsSecurity with practical examples to
demonstrate its usage in real-world scenarios.
WindowsSecurity Method Overview
The WindowsSecurity method provides access to security descriptors
for files and folders. It returns a SecurityDescriptor object that
contains security information. This object can be used to examine or modify
permissions.
Key features include reading existing permissions and setting new ones. It works with users, groups, and their respective access rights. Understanding this method helps create secure file management scripts. Proper permissions are crucial for system security and data protection.
Checking File Permissions
This example demonstrates how to check permissions for a specific file. It shows how to retrieve the security descriptor and examine its properties. The script displays whether the current user has read access to the file.
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set file = fso.GetFile("C:\secure\data.txt")
Set sd = file.WindowsSecurity
WScript.Echo "Owner: " & sd.Owner
WScript.Echo "Group: " & sd.Group
WScript.Echo "DACL present: " & sd.DACLPresent
Set sd = Nothing
Set file = Nothing
Set fso = Nothing
The script creates a FileSystemObject and gets a file object. It
then retrieves the security descriptor using WindowsSecurity. The
script displays the owner, group, and whether a DACL (Discretionary ACL) exists.
This information helps assess file security.
Modifying File Permissions
This example shows how to modify permissions for a file. It demonstrates adding a new access control entry to the file's DACL. The script grants read access to a specific user.
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set file = fso.GetFile("C:\secure\data.txt")
Set sd = file.WindowsSecurity
' Create a new trustee object for the user
Set trustee = CreateObject("AccessControl.Trustee")
trustee.Name = "DOMAIN\username"
trustee.TrusteeType = 1 ' USER
' Create a new ACE (Access Control Entry)
Set ace = CreateObject("AccessControl.Ace")
ace.AccessMask = 1 ' FILE_READ_DATA
ace.AceType = 0 ' ACCESS_ALLOWED_ACE_TYPE
ace.Trustee = trustee
' Add the ACE to the DACL
sd.DACL.AddAce ace
sd.WriteDACL
Set ace = Nothing
Set trustee = Nothing
Set sd = Nothing
Set file = Nothing
Set fso = Nothing
The script creates a trustee object representing the user. It then creates an ACE
with read permissions. The ACE is added to the file's DACL, and
WriteDACL saves the changes. This demonstrates programmatic
permission management.
Inheriting Parent Folder Permissions
This example shows how to configure permission inheritance from a parent folder. It demonstrates disabling inheritance and copying existing permissions. This is useful for creating secure subfolders with controlled access.
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set folder = fso.GetFolder("C:\secure\newfolder")
Set sd = folder.WindowsSecurity
' Disable inheritance and copy existing permissions
sd.ControlFlags = sd.ControlFlags Or 16 ' SE_DACL_PROTECTED
sd.WriteControlFlags
WScript.Echo "Inheritance disabled and permissions preserved"
Set sd = Nothing
Set folder = Nothing
Set fso = Nothing
The script gets a folder object and its security descriptor. It sets the
SE_DACL_PROTECTED flag to disable inheritance. The existing
permissions are preserved but won't update from the parent. This provides
granular control over folder security.
Checking Effective Permissions
This example demonstrates checking effective permissions for a user. It shows how to verify what access a specific user actually has to a file. This considers all group memberships and permission inheritance.
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set file = fso.GetFile("C:\secure\data.txt")
Set sd = file.WindowsSecurity
Set trustee = CreateObject("AccessControl.Trustee")
trustee.Name = "DOMAIN\username"
trustee.TrusteeType = 1 ' USER
' Check for specific permissions
hasRead = sd.CheckAccess(trustee, 1) ' FILE_READ_DATA
hasWrite = sd.CheckAccess(trustee, 2) ' FILE_WRITE_DATA
WScript.Echo "Read access: " & hasRead
WScript.Echo "Write access: " & hasWrite
Set trustee = Nothing
Set sd = Nothing
Set file = Nothing
Set fso = Nothing
The script creates a trustee object for the target user. It then checks for
specific permissions using CheckAccess. The results show the user's
effective permissions, considering all security factors. This is valuable for
troubleshooting access issues.
Setting Folder Ownership
This example demonstrates changing ownership of a folder. It shows how to transfer ownership to another user or group. Ownership changes require appropriate privileges to complete.
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set folder = fso.GetFolder("C:\secure\important")
Set sd = folder.WindowsSecurity
Set newOwner = CreateObject("AccessControl.Trustee")
newOwner.Name = "DOMAIN\adminuser"
newOwner.TrusteeType = 1 ' USER
sd.Owner = newOwner
sd.WriteOwner
WScript.Echo "Ownership changed successfully"
Set newOwner = Nothing
Set sd = Nothing
Set folder = Nothing
Set fso = Nothing
The script creates a trustee object for the new owner. It assigns this trustee
to the security descriptor's Owner property. WriteOwner applies
the change. Ownership control is crucial for proper security management.
Source
FileSystemObject Documentation
In this article, we have explored the WindowsSecurity method in
VBScript, covering its usage and practical applications. From checking
permissions to modifying security settings, these examples demonstrate powerful
security management capabilities. With this knowledge, you can create robust
security administration scripts.
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