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Re: Modifying system files
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Re: Modifying system files


  • Subject: Re: Modifying system files
  • From: Shawn Erickson <email@hidden>
  • Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2007 07:26:15 -0700

To echo what Wain stated... DO NOT modify files under /System unless it is required as part of an Apple approved / supported pathway (aka install KEXTs, etc.). If you still feel you need to do this you must fully understand the security and stability issues involved and you must inform your customers of what you are doing. You must take extra care in implementing you software so that it itself or by way of what it modifies doesn't expose or become a vulnerability. This means fully understanding how to utilize authorization services, how to install your application securely, how to keep it secure, and also how to ensure you keep proper file permission, etc. on the files you modify.

Additionally you will be modify files that Apple is free to rename, change the format of, etc. on a whim because they are not part of the public API for Mac OS X. You expose your customers up to all kinds of potential issues with every security update, patch release, and major revision.. and open yourself up to a possibly bad support situation.

Personally somethings just shouldn't be done even if you and your customers think it would be a cool thing... I rate this type of product as one of those.

-Shawn


On Jun 9, 2007, at 2:16 AM, Wain Glaister wrote:

Hi,

Your looking for authorization or authentication - BUT, you should endeavour not to modify system files if there is another way to achieve your goal.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cocoa+authorization
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Security/Conceptual/ authorization_concepts/01introduction/chapter_1_section_1.html


Wain

www.tekuris.com

On 9 Jun 2007, at 10:04, Aaron Wallis wrote:

Hi there,

I'm building an app similar to CandyBar which needs to modify system files to customize the OSX user interface.

I'm using NSFileManager to do the modifications (as per this code):

NSFileManager * tFileManager = [[[NSFileManager alloc] init] autorelease];
[tFileManager removeFileAtPath:tfilePath handler:self];
[tFileManager movePath:[NSString stringWithFormat:@"%@/ temp.aif", [bundleResource resourcePath]] toPath:tfilePath handler:self];


when it attempts to remove the file, it throws a "Error Removing" error, and obviously, doesn't remove the file...
I know, with the likes of candy bar, it asks for authentication to make the changes before doing whatever it does, but I can't seem to find any documentation on how to request for the user to login or such...


Any ideas?

Cheers :D
- Az
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  • Follow-Ups:
    • Re: Modifying system files
      • From: Ricky Sharp <email@hidden>
References: 
 >Modifying system files (From: Aaron Wallis <email@hidden>)
 >Re: Modifying system files (From: Wain Glaister <email@hidden>)

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