Mutex.SetAccessControl(MutexSecurity) Method

Definition

Sets the access control security for a named system mutex.

public:
 void SetAccessControl(System::Security::AccessControl::MutexSecurity ^ mutexSecurity);
public void SetAccessControl (System.Security.AccessControl.MutexSecurity mutexSecurity);
member this.SetAccessControl : System.Security.AccessControl.MutexSecurity -> unit
Public Sub SetAccessControl (mutexSecurity As MutexSecurity)

Parameters

mutexSecurity
MutexSecurity

A MutexSecurity object that represents the access control security to be applied to the named system mutex.

Exceptions

mutexSecurity is null.

The user does not have ChangePermissions.

-or-

The mutex was not opened with ChangePermissions.

The current Mutex object does not represent a named system mutex.

Examples

The following code example demonstrates the cross-process behavior of a named mutex with access control security. The example uses the OpenExisting(String) method overload to test for the existence of a named mutex.

If the mutex does not exist, it is created with initial ownership and access control security that denies the current user the right to use the mutex, but grants the right to read and change permissions on the mutex.

If you run the compiled example from two command windows, the second copy will throw an access violation exception on the call to OpenExisting(String). The exception is caught, and the example uses the OpenExisting(String, MutexRights) method overload to open the mutex with the rights needed to read and change the permissions, using the GetAccessControl and SetAccessControl methods.

After the permissions are changed, the mutex is opened with the rights required to enter and release it. If you run the compiled example from a third command window, it runs using the new permissions.

using namespace System;
using namespace System::Threading;
using namespace System::Security::AccessControl;
using namespace System::Security::Permissions;

public ref class Example
{
public:
   [SecurityPermissionAttribute(SecurityAction::Demand,Flags=SecurityPermissionFlag::UnmanagedCode)]
   static void Main()
   {
      String^ mutexName = L"MutexExample4";

      Mutex^ m = nullptr;
      bool doesNotExist = false;
      bool unauthorized = false;
      
      // The value of this variable is set by the mutex
      // constructor. It is true if the named system mutex was
      // created, and false if the named mutex already existed.
      //
      bool mutexWasCreated = false;

      // Attempt to open the named mutex.
      try
      {
         // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize |
         // MutexRights.Modify), to enter and release the
         // named mutex.
         //
         m = Mutex::OpenExisting( mutexName );
      }
      catch ( WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException^ ) 
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Mutex does not exist." );
         doesNotExist = true;
      }
      catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Unauthorized access: {0}", ex->Message );
         unauthorized = true;
      }

      // There are three cases: (1) The mutex does not exist.
      // (2) The mutex exists, but the current user doesn't
      // have access. (3) The mutex exists and the user has
      // access.
      //
      if ( doesNotExist )
      {
         // The mutex does not exist, so create it.
         // Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
         // current user the right to enter or release the
         // mutex, but allows the right to read and change
         // security information for the mutex.
         //
         String^ user = String::Concat( Environment::UserDomainName, L"\\",
            Environment::UserName );
         MutexSecurity^ mSec = gcnew MutexSecurity;

         MutexAccessRule^ rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
            static_cast<MutexRights>(
               MutexRights::Synchronize |
               MutexRights::Modify),
            AccessControlType::Deny );
         mSec->AddAccessRule( rule );

         rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
            static_cast<MutexRights>(
               MutexRights::ReadPermissions |
                MutexRights::ChangePermissions),
            AccessControlType::Allow );
         mSec->AddAccessRule( rule );
         
         // Create a Mutex object that represents the system
         // mutex named by the constant 'mutexName', with
         // initial ownership for this thread, and with the
         // specified security access. The Boolean value that
         // indicates creation of the underlying system object
         // is placed in mutexWasCreated.
         //
         m = gcnew Mutex( true,mutexName, mutexWasCreated,mSec );
         
         // If the named system mutex was created, it can be
         // used by the current instance of this program, even
         // though the current user is denied access. The current
         // program owns the mutex. Otherwise, exit the program.
         //
         if ( mutexWasCreated )
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Created the mutex." );
         }
         else
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Unable to create the mutex." );
            return;
         }
      }
      else if ( unauthorized )
      {
         // Open the mutex to read and change the access control
         // security. The access control security defined above
         // allows the current user to do this.
         //
         try
         {
            m = Mutex::OpenExisting( mutexName,
               static_cast<MutexRights>(
                  MutexRights::ReadPermissions |
                  MutexRights::ChangePermissions) );
            
            // Get the current ACL. This requires
            // MutexRights.ReadPermissions.
            MutexSecurity^ mSec = m->GetAccessControl();

            String^ user = String::Concat( Environment::UserDomainName,
               L"\\", Environment::UserName );
            
            // First, the rule that denied the current user
            // the right to enter and release the mutex must
            // be removed.
            MutexAccessRule^ rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
               static_cast<MutexRights>(
                  MutexRights::Synchronize |
                  MutexRights::Modify),
               AccessControlType::Deny );
            mSec->RemoveAccessRule( rule );
            
            // Now grant the user the correct rights.
            //
            rule = gcnew MutexAccessRule( user,
               static_cast<MutexRights>(
                  MutexRights::Synchronize |
                  MutexRights::Modify),
               AccessControlType::Allow );
            mSec->AddAccessRule( rule );
            
            // Update the ACL. This requires
            // MutexRights.ChangePermissions.
            m->SetAccessControl( mSec );

            Console::WriteLine( L"Updated mutex security." );
            
            // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize
            // | MutexRights.Modify), the rights required to
            // enter and release the mutex.
            //
            m = Mutex::OpenExisting( mutexName );
         }
         catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
         {
            Console::WriteLine(
               L"Unable to change permissions: {0}", ex->Message );
            return;
         }
      }
      
      // If this program created the mutex, it already owns
      // the mutex.
      //
      if ( !mutexWasCreated )
      {
         // Enter the mutex, and hold it until the program
         // exits.
         //
         try
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Wait for the mutex." );
            m->WaitOne();
            Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the mutex." );
         }
         catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Unauthorized access: {0}",
               ex->Message );
         }
      }

      Console::WriteLine( L"Press the Enter key to exit." );
      Console::ReadLine();
      m->ReleaseMutex();
      m->Dispose();
   }
};

int main()
{
   Example::Main();
}
using System;
using System.Threading;
using System.Security.AccessControl;

internal class Example
{
    internal static void Main()
    {
        const string mutexName = "MutexExample4";

        Mutex m = null;
        bool doesNotExist = false;
        bool unauthorized = false;

        // The value of this variable is set by the mutex
        // constructor. It is true if the named system mutex was
        // created, and false if the named mutex already existed.
        //
        bool mutexWasCreated = false;

        // Attempt to open the named mutex.
        try
        {
            // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize |
            // MutexRights.Modify), to enter and release the
            // named mutex.
            //
            m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName);
        }
        catch(WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Mutex does not exist.");
            doesNotExist = true;
        }
        catch(UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message);
            unauthorized = true;
        }

        // There are three cases: (1) The mutex does not exist.
        // (2) The mutex exists, but the current user doesn't 
        // have access. (3) The mutex exists and the user has
        // access.
        //
        if (doesNotExist)
        {
            // The mutex does not exist, so create it.

            // Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
            // current user the right to enter or release the 
            // mutex, but allows the right to read and change
            // security information for the mutex.
            //
            string user = Environment.UserDomainName + "\\"
                + Environment.UserName;
            var mSec = new MutexSecurity();

            MutexAccessRule rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                MutexRights.Synchronize | MutexRights.Modify, 
                AccessControlType.Deny);
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

            rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                MutexRights.ReadPermissions | MutexRights.ChangePermissions,
                AccessControlType.Allow);
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

            // Create a Mutex object that represents the system
            // mutex named by the constant 'mutexName', with
            // initial ownership for this thread, and with the
            // specified security access. The Boolean value that 
            // indicates creation of the underlying system object
            // is placed in mutexWasCreated.
            //
            m = new Mutex(true, mutexName, out mutexWasCreated, mSec);

            // If the named system mutex was created, it can be
            // used by the current instance of this program, even 
            // though the current user is denied access. The current
            // program owns the mutex. Otherwise, exit the program.
            // 
            if (mutexWasCreated)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Created the mutex.");
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to create the mutex.");
                return;
            }
        }
        else if (unauthorized)
        {
            // Open the mutex to read and change the access control
            // security. The access control security defined above
            // allows the current user to do this.
            //
            try
            {
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName, 
                    MutexRights.ReadPermissions | MutexRights.ChangePermissions);

                // Get the current ACL. This requires 
                // MutexRights.ReadPermissions.
                MutexSecurity mSec = m.GetAccessControl();
                
                string user = Environment.UserDomainName + "\\"
                    + Environment.UserName;

                // First, the rule that denied the current user 
                // the right to enter and release the mutex must
                // be removed.
                MutexAccessRule rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                     MutexRights.Synchronize | MutexRights.Modify,
                     AccessControlType.Deny);
                mSec.RemoveAccessRule(rule);

                // Now grant the user the correct rights.
                // 
                rule = new MutexAccessRule(user, 
                    MutexRights.Synchronize | MutexRights.Modify,
                    AccessControlType.Allow);
                mSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

                // Update the ACL. This requires
                // MutexRights.ChangePermissions.
                m.SetAccessControl(mSec);

                Console.WriteLine("Updated mutex security.");

                // Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize 
                // | MutexRights.Modify), the rights required to
                // enter and release the mutex.
                //
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName);
            }
            catch(UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to change permissions: {0}",
                    ex.Message);
                return;
            }
        }

        // If this program created the mutex, it already owns
        // the mutex.
        //
        if (!mutexWasCreated)
        {
            // Enter the mutex, and hold it until the program
            // exits.
            //
            try
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Wait for the mutex.");
                m.WaitOne();
                Console.WriteLine("Entered the mutex.");
            }
            catch(UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message);
            }
        }

        Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to exit.");
        Console.ReadLine();
        m.ReleaseMutex();
        m.Dispose();
    }
}
Imports System.Threading
Imports System.Security.AccessControl

Friend Class Example

    <MTAThread> _
    Friend Shared Sub Main()
        Const mutexName As String = "MutexExample4"

        Dim m As Mutex = Nothing
        Dim doesNotExist as Boolean = False
        Dim unauthorized As Boolean = False

        ' The value of this variable is set by the mutex
        ' constructor. It is True if the named system mutex was
        ' created, and False if the named mutex already existed.
        '
        Dim mutexWasCreated As Boolean

        ' Attempt to open the named mutex.
        Try
            ' Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize Or
            ' MutexRights.Modify), to enter and release the
            ' named mutex.
            '
            m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName)
        Catch ex As WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException
            Console.WriteLine("Mutex does not exist.")
            doesNotExist = True
        Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message)
            unauthorized = True
        End Try

        ' There are three cases: (1) The mutex does not exist.
        ' (2) The mutex exists, but the current user doesn't 
        ' have access. (3) The mutex exists and the user has
        ' access.
        '
        If doesNotExist Then
            ' The mutex does not exist, so create it.

            ' Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
            ' current user the right to enter or release the 
            ' mutex, but allows the right to read and change
            ' security information for the mutex.
            '
            Dim user As String = Environment.UserDomainName _ 
                & "\" & Environment.UserName
            Dim mSec As New MutexSecurity()

            Dim rule As New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                MutexRights.Synchronize Or MutexRights.Modify, _
                AccessControlType.Deny)
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

            rule = New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                MutexRights.ReadPermissions Or _
                MutexRights.ChangePermissions, _
                AccessControlType.Allow)
            mSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

            ' Create a Mutex object that represents the system
            ' mutex named by the constant 'mutexName', with
            ' initial ownership for this thread, and with the
            ' specified security access. The Boolean value that 
            ' indicates creation of the underlying system object
            ' is placed in mutexWasCreated.
            '
            m = New Mutex(True, mutexName, mutexWasCreated, mSec)

            ' If the named system mutex was created, it can be
            ' used by the current instance of this program, even 
            ' though the current user is denied access. The current
            ' program owns the mutex. Otherwise, exit the program.
            ' 
            If mutexWasCreated Then
                Console.WriteLine("Created the mutex.")
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to create the mutex.")
                Return
            End If

        ElseIf unauthorized Then

            ' Open the mutex to read and change the access control
            ' security. The access control security defined above
            ' allows the current user to do this.
            '
            Try
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName, _
                    MutexRights.ReadPermissions Or _
                    MutexRights.ChangePermissions)

                ' Get the current ACL. This requires 
                ' MutexRights.ReadPermissions.
                Dim mSec As MutexSecurity = m.GetAccessControl()
                
                Dim user As String = Environment.UserDomainName _ 
                    & "\" & Environment.UserName

                ' First, the rule that denied the current user 
                ' the right to enter and release the mutex must
                ' be removed.
                Dim rule As New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                    MutexRights.Synchronize Or MutexRights.Modify, _
                    AccessControlType.Deny)
                mSec.RemoveAccessRule(rule)

                ' Now grant the user the correct rights.
                ' 
                rule = New MutexAccessRule(user, _
                    MutexRights.Synchronize Or MutexRights.Modify, _
                    AccessControlType.Allow)
                mSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

                ' Update the ACL. This requires
                ' MutexRights.ChangePermissions.
                m.SetAccessControl(mSec)

                Console.WriteLine("Updated mutex security.")

                ' Open the mutex with (MutexRights.Synchronize 
                ' Or MutexRights.Modify), the rights required to
                ' enter and release the mutex.
                '
                m = Mutex.OpenExisting(mutexName)

            Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to change permissions: {0}", _
                    ex.Message)
                Return
            End Try

        End If

        ' If this program created the mutex, it already owns
        ' the mutex.
        '
        If Not mutexWasCreated Then
            ' Enter the mutex, and hold it until the program
            ' exits.
            '
            Try
                Console.WriteLine("Wait for the mutex.")
                m.WaitOne()
                Console.WriteLine("Entered the mutex.")
            Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
                Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", _
                    ex.Message)
            End Try
        End If

        Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to exit.")
        Console.ReadLine()
        m.ReleaseMutex()
        m.Dispose()
    End Sub 
End Class

Remarks

The user must have MutexRights.ChangePermissions rights to call this method, and the mutex must have been opened with MutexRights.ChangePermissions.

Note

In .NET Core and .NET 5+, the equivalent method is SetAccessControl.

Applies to