Unable to download with SandBoxed Chrome

Hi Ron,

Please, download the latest beta 5.31.2 to correct the permissions issue (which should allow the downloads to work):
https://community.sophos.com/products/sandboxie/sandboxie-beta-versions/f/sandboxie-beta-5-31/113038/sandboxie-beta-sandboxie-beta-5-31-latest-version-5-31-2

Then, delete the contents of your Sandbox, and re-try downloading files.

Regards,

HI Barb

I appreciate the very fast response.

I was already using version 5.31.2 when I wrote you.

I first encountered the problem years ago; and the problem remained with each new version of Sandboxie that came out, including the most current version (that I'm using now) of 5.31.2. (I made sure I was using the latest beta version before I wrote you)

The problem didn't bother me until recently, because I would use IE for downloading; but starting with version 5.30 it's no longer possible to download from a sandboxed IE browser in Windows 8.1  (https://community.sophos.com/products/sandboxie/sandboxie-beta-versions/f/sandboxie-beta-5-31/113038/sandboxie-beta-sandboxie-beta-5-31-latest-version-5-31-2)

Thanks

Ron

Hi Ron,

The problem you described was introduced with Sandboxie 5.30, it was related to permissions. 
However, the beta versions were released in order to fix that (minus the IE problem that we documented). 

Please, follow the guidelines to provide all the details, so that I can set up a similar scenario to test the behavior:
How to report problems with Sandboxie

Thanks!

Hi Barb

The problem that I am having was introduced much earlier than version 5.30.

It was not introduced in version 5.3X

I have had the problem for a few years now on 2 different computers, with 2 different versions of Windows. (8.1 & 10 )

Here are the steps, following your guidelines for reporting a problem with Sandboxie:

1- Sandboxie and Windows version (For example Sandboxie 5.30 , Windows 10 x64 bit 1809)
      Sandboxie version: All versions of Sandboxie for the last few years, starting before version 5.10 through version 5.31.2
      Windows version:   One computer with Windows 8.1 and another with Windows 10 (all builds through 1903)

2 - Affected applications version (if using a browser, include any extensions as well)
     Google Chrome, (with no extensions) all versions throughout the last few years

3 - List any antivirus installed, and their version.

      The problem occurs even without any antivirus software installed
      I normally use Nod32 & Webroot. I completely uninstalled both (for testing), and the problem persists.  

4 - Steps to reproduce the issue.

      Try to download a file from a website, using Chrome.

5 - Does it occur in a new sandbox with default settings?

     Yes (I created a new sandbox with default settings – for testing)

6 - Full error message and screenshots of it if applicable.

      “Failed – Download error”

FWIW

5.31.2 (64-bit)

Chrome 76.0.3809.132 (Official Build)(64-bit)

Hi Bj m

I'm sorry

I don't understand your reply

All I got was a bunch of images

Ron Rahav said:

Hi Bj m

I'm sorry

I don't understand your reply

All I got was a bunch of images

 

Sorry, I was not clear. 

HI bj m

Thank you for replying so fast! I understand your reply now.

I  realize that the problem I'm having is not universal, and many - if not most - people ARE able to download files using sandboxed Chrome.

Still I can't - on both my computers.

Thanks

Ron

Ron Rahav said:

HI bj m

Thank you for replying so fast! I understand your reply now.

I  realize that the problem I'm having is not universal, and many - if not most - people ARE able to download files using sandboxed Chrome.

Still I can't - on both my computers.

Thanks

Ron

 

Hmm, can't recall having issue with downloads from Chrome sandbox.  
Sorry

Good luck

Hi Ron,

From what you are describing, the problem seems to be environment related (most likely a Windows restriction or a third party software is installed and causing issues). Because we don't have -aside from the very specific version I covered - any reports of this nor are we able to reproduce it. 

Be sure to keep your antivirus software uninstalled for another set of tests please, just to rule out conflicts. Also, please, ensure you are using the latest beta, and let's go with the next round of data gathering:

- Are you able to download files with any other browsers inside Sandboxie?

- Are there any restrictions on the computer? 

- Try changing the location of your Sandbox and re-test creating a new one. Look at set container folder https://www.sandboxie.com/SandboxMenu#container 

- If the problem only occurs with Chrome --> What are the installed extensions if any? 

Let's get a copy of your Sandboxie ini (Configure --> Edit configuration - Copy paste the contents here). 

Thanks!

HI Barb

I’ve been able to identify the unique circumstances that cause downloads from a sandboxed Chrome to fail. (“Failed - Download Error”)

It’s a combination of 2 conditions:

1. My sandbox Root Path (containing Folder) is on a Ram Disk (with drive letter I:). 
   The sandbox.ini entry is   FileRootPath=I:\Sandbox\\%SANDBOX%
   (Placing the sandbox on a Ram Disk guarantees that the sandbox is completely flushed when the computer is rebooted)
2. I attempt to save the downloaded file to the same drive that the sandbox is in. ( in my case drive letter I: )
   If I save the downloaded file to any other drive (other than the Ram Disk where the sandbox resides) there is no problem.
   If the sandbox is NOT on a Ram Disk, then there is no problem, even if I save the downloaded file to the drive where the sandbox resides.

In summary:

The problem occurs ONLY if the sandbox resides on a Ram Disk, AND I attempt to download the file to the very same drive where the sandbox resides.

With this discovery, I can manage (I don’t download files to the drive where the sandbox resides)
and I don’t necessarily need more help.

You might, however, be curious to find out why the download fails under this very unique set of circumstances.

(reminder: it happens in all versions of chrome and Sandboxie throughout the last few years)

Thank You for your help

Ron

HI Barb

I’ve been able to identify the unique circumstances that cause downloads from a sandboxed Chrome to fail. (“Failed - Download Error”)

It’s a combination of 2 conditions:

1. My sandbox Root Path (containing Folder) is on a Ram Disk (with drive letter I:). 
   The sandbox.ini entry is   FileRootPath=I:\Sandbox\\%SANDBOX%
   (Placing the sandbox on a Ram Disk guarantees that the sandbox is completely flushed when the computer is rebooted)
2. I attempt to save the downloaded file to the same drive that the sandbox is in. ( in my case drive letter I: )
   If I save the downloaded file to any other drive (other than the Ram Disk where the sandbox resides) there is no problem.
   If the sandbox is NOT on a Ram Disk, then there is no problem, even if I save the downloaded file to the drive where the sandbox resides.

In summary:

The problem occurs ONLY if the sandbox resides on a Ram Disk, AND I attempt to download the file to the very same drive where the sandbox resides.

With this discovery, I can manage (I don’t download files to the drive where the sandbox resides)
and I don’t necessarily need more help.

You might, however, be curious to find out why the download fails under this very unique set of circumstances.

(reminder: it happens in all versions of chrome and Sandboxie throughout the last few years)

Thank You for your help

Ron

Hi Ron,

Glad to hear you have a workaround for now. I'll pass the info to the dev team to see if they have any suggestions. 

Not sure this is a supported scenario, but I'll let you know once I hear back from them.

Mini update: I tested on a Win 10 machine and I am not seeing the issue when I download, say, a program (I tried adobe reader, and Firefox, and I was able to download and recover them to my main drive) . However, I tried downloading a random pdf file and saving it to different locations within the ram disk and also within the Sandbox --> This triggered a message about not having permissions to save, and then download read failed, just like your example. 

Can you confirm you are seeing the same behavior?
What is the folder Chrome is trying to download to, by default? 
Are you able to download from other browsers? 

Regards,