Discussion:
[vbox-dev] Error in 4.3.8 regarding new handling of environment variables for processes on Windows hosts
Magnus Madsen
2014-02-27 08:49:01 UTC
Permalink
Hi!
I have discovered a problem regarding the new handling of environment
variables for creating GuestProcesses using Guest Additions 4.3.8. The
problem does not occur when using VirtualBox 4.3.8 with an older version of
the Guest Additions.

The issue is that processes are started with no environment variables at
all - not even the ones that are specified for standard processes. This
causes a lot of things to fail on Windows, because a lot of built-in
functions depend on certain environment variables being set.

For instance, trying to call the Windows Script Host fails with the
non-descriptive message "Execution of the Windows Script Host failed. (Not
enough storage is available to complete this operation. )"
I discovered this particular message is related to the SystemRoot variable
not being set for the WSH process.

I assume this behavior is not by design, as I would expect the environment
arguments given to a GuestProcess simply to overwrite the specified ones.
If this behavior is intended, I believe we do need a way to start a process
while keeping the standard environment variables.

Please let me know if you need any further information, thanks!

Magnus
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.virtualbox.org/pipermail/vbox-dev/attachments/20140227/2576bade/attachment.html
Andreas Löffler
2014-02-27 09:11:39 UTC
Permalink
Hi Magnus,

thanks for the report. We'll have a look into the issue.

Andreas
Post by Magnus Madsen
Hi!
I have discovered a problem regarding the new handling of environment
variables for creating GuestProcesses using Guest Additions 4.3.8. The
problem does not occur when using VirtualBox 4.3.8 with an older version
of the Guest Additions.
The issue is that processes are started with no environment variables at
all - not even the ones that are specified for standard processes. This
causes a lot of things to fail on Windows, because a lot of built-in
functions depend on certain environment variables being set.
For instance, trying to call the Windows Script Host fails with the
non-descriptive message "Execution of the Windows Script Host failed.
(Not enough storage is available to complete this operation. )"
I discovered this particular message is related to the SystemRoot
variable not being set for the WSH process.
I assume this behavior is not by design, as I would expect the
environment arguments given to a GuestProcess simply to overwrite the
specified ones. If this behavior is intended, I believe we do need a way
to start a process while keeping the standard environment variables.
Please let me know if you need any further information, thanks!
Magnus
_______________________________________________
vbox-dev mailing list
vbox-dev at virtualbox.org
https://www.virtualbox.org/mailman/listinfo/vbox-dev
--
Kind regards / Mit freundlichen Gr??en

******************************************************************
Andreas L?ffler | VirtualBox Engineering
Senior Software Engineer | Oracle Virtualization

ORACLE Deutschland B.V. & Co. KG
Schiffbauergasse 14
D-14467 Potsdam, Germany

Hauptverwaltung: Riesstr. 25, D-80992 M?nchen
Registergericht: Amtsgericht M?nchen, HRA 95603
Gesch?ftsf?hrer: J?rgen Kunz

Komplement?rin: ORACLE Deutschland Verwaltung B.V.
Hertogswetering 163/167, 3543 AS Utrecht, Niederlande
Handelsregister der Handelskammer Midden-Niederlande, Nr. 30143697
Gesch?ftsf?hrer: Alexander van der Ven, Astrid Kepper, Val Maher

Green Oracle <http://www.oracle.com/commitment>
Oracle is committed to developing practices and products that
help protect the environment
Andreas Löffler
2014-02-28 15:19:41 UTC
Permalink
Hi,

just a quick follow-up: We found and fixed the issue. The bugfix will be
available in the next upcoming maintenance version.

Thanks again for the report,
Andreas
Post by Magnus Madsen
Hi!
I have discovered a problem regarding the new handling of environment
variables for creating GuestProcesses using Guest Additions 4.3.8. The
problem does not occur when using VirtualBox 4.3.8 with an older version
of the Guest Additions.
The issue is that processes are started with no environment variables at
all - not even the ones that are specified for standard processes. This
causes a lot of things to fail on Windows, because a lot of built-in
functions depend on certain environment variables being set.
For instance, trying to call the Windows Script Host fails with the
non-descriptive message "Execution of the Windows Script Host failed.
(Not enough storage is available to complete this operation. )"
I discovered this particular message is related to the SystemRoot
variable not being set for the WSH process.
I assume this behavior is not by design, as I would expect the
environment arguments given to a GuestProcess simply to overwrite the
specified ones. If this behavior is intended, I believe we do need a way
to start a process while keeping the standard environment variables.
Please let me know if you need any further information, thanks!
Magnus
_______________________________________________
vbox-dev mailing list
vbox-dev at virtualbox.org
https://www.virtualbox.org/mailman/listinfo/vbox-dev
--
Kind regards / Mit freundlichen Gr??en

******************************************************************
Andreas L?ffler | VirtualBox Engineering
Senior Software Engineer | Oracle Virtualization

ORACLE Deutschland B.V. & Co. KG
Schiffbauergasse 14
D-14467 Potsdam, Germany

Hauptverwaltung: Riesstr. 25, D-80992 M?nchen
Registergericht: Amtsgericht M?nchen, HRA 95603
Gesch?ftsf?hrer: J?rgen Kunz

Komplement?rin: ORACLE Deutschland Verwaltung B.V.
Hertogswetering 163/167, 3543 AS Utrecht, Niederlande
Handelsregister der Handelskammer Midden-Niederlande, Nr. 30143697
Gesch?ftsf?hrer: Alexander van der Ven, Astrid Kepper, Val Maher

Green Oracle <http://www.oracle.com/commitment>
Oracle is committed to developing practices and products that
help protect the environment
Loading...