[.06] Sandboxie 4.01.04, Chrome 26.0.1410.43, and EditPlus

[nick s]

An interesting conflict with an unsandboxed application...

Windows 7 64-bit and 32-bit
Sandboxie 4.01.04
Chrome 26.0.1410.43 stable forced
EditPlus Text Editor 3.51 unsandboxed (http://www.editplus.com/):

Steps to reproduce:

1. Install EditPlus and set it as the default handler of .txt files (which requires running EditPlus with admin rights).
2. Start Chrome sandboxed.
3. Navigate to any text file and double-click to open.

I am seeing a 30-second hang on 7 64-bit (20 seconds on 7 32-bit) before EditPlus opens the .txt file on the screen. If I start Chrome unsandboxed, no hang.

During the hang, the EditPlus process is not listed in Process Explorer until the .txt file is on the screen. If I close the sandboxed Chrome during the hang, EditPlus opens the file immediately.

Other text editors (Notepad++, UltraEdit) are unaffected. No hang with Sandboxie 3.76. No hang with previous Chrome stable versions and Sandboxie 4.01.04. Other than Sandboxie, EMET (3.0) is the only other security app I use.

[tzuk]

I imagine that has something to do with DDE. I'll check it out.

[tzuk]

How do I get Chrome try to open the .TXT file in an external viewer?

Also, I did not see how to ask EditPlus to handle .TXT files from within EditPlus, so I used the Default Programs feature in Windows, but I guess either approach should have the same result.

[nick s]

How do I get Chrome try to open the .TXT file in an external viewer?

I should have been more clear with Step 3. Navigate to and open a .TXT file using an unsandboxed windows explorer. That's what is weird about the problem. It's an operation that's external to the sandboxed Chrome.

Also, I did not see how to ask EditPlus to handle .TXT files from within EditPlus, so I used the Default Programs feature in Windows, but I guess either approach should have the same result.

You need to tick off "Associate in Explorer" and then click Apply which requires admin rights...

[tzuk]

Thanks. This was indeed related to DDE, as EditPlus registers itself as a DDE server for .TXT files. Should be fixed in the next beta.

[tzuk]

Please check version 4.01.06.

[nick s]

Please check version 4.01.06.

Fixed. Thank you!