Windows ACL inheritance issues for FTP server and automated tools
- by Martin Sall
I have set up Cerberus FTP server. By default, Cerberus FTP service runs under SYSTEM ACCOUNT.
Also I have some console applications which run as scheduled tasks. They are running under a dedicated "Utilities" user account which has "Log on as batch job" permissions. These console applications take uploaded FTP files, process them and then move them to some dedicated archive folder.
The problem is that my console apps are throwing Security exceptions when trying to acces the uploaded files. I tried to give the Full control permissions on the ftproot folder for my "Utilities" account and I have checked that "Replace all Child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object" checkbox, but it affects only current files. When new files are uploaded, they again are not accessible by my "Utilities" account.
I tried to go another way and put Cerberus FTP service under "Utilities" account. Then I also needed to give "Utilities" account permissions on Cerberus Data folder in ProgramData. Still no luck - after this operation, Cerberus internal SOAP web service stopped working (although everything else seems to work). I need that SOAP service to be available, so running the Cerberus FTP under "Utilities" account seems to be not an option. Unless I find out, what else do I need to set up for that "Utilities" account to stop Cerberus from complaining.
I guess, Cerberus is uploading files to some temporary folder and so those files get the permissions form that folder and keep the same permissions even after moved to the ftproot.
What would be the right solution for this which would grant Cerberus FTP server and the "Utilities" account minimal needed permissions to access the contents of the ftproot folder?