Updated writeProtection logic

midget 0

Hi,

it looks like MS have changed how the writeProtection element (one definition found https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/documentformat.openxml.wordprocessing.writeprotection?view=openxml-2.8.1) behaves in Word documents.

Prior to Word 365 2022.9 (September release), when w:writeProtection was present in the OpenXML package, settings part, the document would give a prompt for password. If password entered - document would be unlocked, if not entered - document would open, but some sections (mso-section-protection) would be locked, however those sections without section protection - would be unlocked and could be altered.

In newer version of word 365 - the document is fully protected, i.e. not possible to alter content.

Was it an intentional change? or is it a bug that MS are going to reverse?

Also, what is the difference between writeProtection and documentProtection https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/documentformat.openxml.wordprocessing.documentprotection?view=openxml-2.8.1?

Edit: changed "WordProtection" to "writeProtection"

KristianSmith-MSFT 31 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2023-02-07T16:29:44.56+00:00

Thank you for your request. One of our team members will review this and follow-up with you soon.

Regards,
Kristian S
Microsoft Open Specifications
Tom Jebo 1,906 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2023-02-07T21:01:20.9+00:00

Hi @midget,

There are some notes in [MS-OI29500] regarding the w:writeProtection element:

2.1.426 Part 1 Section 17.15.1.93, writeProtection (Write Protection)

Have you reviewed the information there? If so, can you please provide an example document or XML excerpt that contains the w:writeProtection element and demonstrates the issue (no password prompt)?

If you need to send a file, please email dochelp at Microsoft.com and we can arrange a file transfer.

Best regards,
Tom Jebo
Microsoft Open Specifications Support
Tom Jebo 1,906 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2023-02-07T21:08:33.81+00:00

Also, you should review (if you haven't already) the ISO 29500-1:2016 standard sections on the two elements:

17.15.1.93 writeProtection (Write Protection)
17.15.1.29 documentProtection (Document Editing Restrictions)

Link to download the standard:

ISO Standards List

(search the page for "29500")

These have descriptions that might answer your questions about the differences. If you still have questions about the differences, please let me know.

Tom
Tom Jebo 1,906 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2023-02-08T22:27:12.4133333+00:00

@midget,

And just a side note, that may be obvious. I assumed w:WordProtect was a typo and you meant w:writeProtect. If that's not correct, then I'm not sure what you meant.

Tom
Tom Jebo 1,906 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2023-02-09T00:11:27.6833333+00:00

@midget,

I did test this out and I see what I believe you are seeing. It looks like in the UI, Word (current version 2302 Build 16130.20082) allows section protect but it's not apparently using the w:writeProtection element.

Edit: I see that Word is using w:permStart and w:permEnd to restrict who can edit sections in the document. But it doesn't look like it's using w:writeProtection currently.

Edit2: @midget, if you can provide an example document with w:writeProtection that shows the issue (and isn't using w:permStart, it would help.

I'll see if I can confirm whether w:writeProtection is used anymore or not.

Tom

1 answer

Tom Jebo 1,906 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2023-02-28T18:54:58.3433333+00:00

@midget,

I've not heard back from you on this thread for quite some time. If you still need assistance please post here.

From my investigation, it looks like w:writeProtection still causes the prompt for password and indeed locks the whole document but the section protection appears to be under w:documentProtection. If this is not what you were seeing previously, can you provide the test document you're using so I can see how it's coded?

Also, can you confirm whether you are using the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Security\UseIsoPasswordVerifier
key that is described in [MS-OI29500] 2.1.426 Part 1 Section 17.15.1.93, writeProtection (Write Protection)?

Tom
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