GetNamedSecurityInfo

GetNamedSecurityInfo is a function in the Windows API that retrieves a copy of the security descriptor for a specified securable object. A securable object is an object that has an associated security descriptor, such as files, directories, registry keys, processes, threads, and Active Directory objects. The security descriptor contains information about the object's owner, its primary group, a system access control list (SACL), and a discretionary access control list (DACL).

The function requires a handle to the object, the object's type, and flags that specify which parts of the security descriptor should be retrieved. These flags can include flags to retrieve the owner information, the group information, the SACL, or the DACL. The function returns a pointer to a security descriptor structure. The caller is responsible for freeing this memory using the LocalFree function when it is no longer needed.

This function is crucial for applications that need to manage or inspect the security settings of Windows objects. For example, an administrator tool might use GetNamedSecurityInfo to display the permissions on a file or a directory. Developers can also use it to programmatically set or modify security permissions on objects. The function allows for granular control over security by enabling access to specific components of the security descriptor.