JDK-6921877 : JCP JNLP Shortcut settings for JDK 9
  • Type: Enhancement
  • Component: deploy
  • Sub-Component: webstart
  • Affected Version: 6u10
  • Priority: P3
  • Status: Closed
  • Resolution: Fixed
  • OS: windows_xp
  • CPU: x86
  • Submitted: 2010-02-01
  • Updated: 2019-11-29
  • Resolved: 2015-08-18
The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed.

Unresolved : Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed.
Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved.
Fixed : Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed. The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release.

To download the current JDK release, click here.
JDK 8 JDK 9
8u241Fixed 9 b82Fixed
Related Reports
Relates :  
Relates :  
Description
FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0_15"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_15-b03)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 14.1-b02, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
I've tested this on Windows XP Professional 32-bit and Mac OS X 10.5.8.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
If a JNLP file contains a security section with the "all-permissions" tag like in the following example, the user never receives a prompt about whether or not he wants shortcuts installed.  Instead the shortcuts are installed unconditionally.

  <security>
    <all-permissions/>
  </security>

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1. In the Java Control Panel, under the Advanced tab, expand the "Shortcut Creation" setting and select one of the following: Prompt user, Prompt user if hinted.

2. Launch a JNLP app that contains the following nodes in its JNLP file:

<jnlp ...>
  <information>
    <shortcut online="false">
      <desktop/>
      <menu submenu="someText"/>
    </shortcut>
  </information>
  <security>
    <all-permissions/>
  </security>
</jnlp>


EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
Web start should display the dialog asking the user whether or not he wants shortcuts installed.  This dialog would appear if the "all-permissions" tag were omitted.

A similar problem was described in bug ID 6570320.  However, that bug was wrongly closed with the incorrect conclusion that the "shortcut" tag in the JNLP file is a command to install shortcuts.  In actually, the "shortcut" tag means that the user should be given the choice of installing shortcuts.  There is no use case for forcing the shortcuts on an end-user, but asking if the user wants shortcuts is a common and expected use case.

The anonymous user who posted in bug ID 6570320 on  01-NOV-2007 provides a correct illustration of why the user settings in the Java Control Panel should be respected even by applications running with elevated privileges.

Please revisit this issue.
ACTUAL -
The dialog does not appear and the shortcuts are installed.

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
There is no workaround since this bug pertains to applications that need higher access to the local system.

Comments
Does the issue need to be considered for backport to JDK 8 and below?
26-04-2016

The existing behavior will be unchanged by default, that is, all-permissions apps requesting shortcuts will get one without multiple prompt dialogs. The user has the option of using one of the other settings in JCP. The 4 settings will now be: - Always allow - Ask user if untrusted (default) - Always ask user - Never allow. further changes will only create shortcut if jnlp file explicitly asks for one (previous settings allowed creating shortcuts for jnlp files that didn't ask for one). see http://j2se.sfbay.sun.com/web/bin/view/Deployment/ControlPanelShortcuts
17-08-2015

EVALUATION proposal to change the options to make existing behavior clearer, and provide option for showing the additional dialog for trusted applications requesting shortcuts. http://j2se.sfbay.sun.com/web/bin/view/Deployment/ControlPanelShortcuts
01-05-2012

EVALUATION If you click on "More information" in the security dialog for the signed application, it will has information on the shortcut: e.g "The application will add a shortcut to the desktop" Need to ask UE team for input on how to better improve the webstart dialog.
02-02-2010