a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

What the 0x80072020?

Explains the 0x80072020 error in .NET 3.5 PrincipalContext when using ASP.NET impersonation with Active Directory, its cause, and security concerns with workaround.

Published on
1 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/ts3nKVfoy1j
Subscribe

I have found a small bug (as in, “Not working as expected!”) in the new .NET 3.5 PrincipalContext classes. When you are running on an ASP.NET site in impersonation mode you cannot retrieve information from active directory without the following error:

System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80072020): An operations error occurred. at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.Bind(Boolean throwIfFail) at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.Bind() at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.get_AdsObject() at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyValueCollection.PopulateList() at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyValueCollection..ctor(DirectoryEntry entry, String propertyName) at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyCollection.get_Item(String propertyName) at System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement.PrincipalContext.DoLDAPDirectoryInitNoContainer() at System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement.PrincipalContext.DoDomainInit() at System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement.PrincipalContext.Initialize() at System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement.PrincipalContext.get_QueryCtx() at System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement.Principal.FindByIdentityWithTypeHelper(PrincipalContext context, Type principalType, Nullable`1 identityType, String identityValue, DateTime refDate) at System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement.Principal.FindByIdentityWithType(PrincipalContext context, Type principalType, IdentityType identityType, String identityValue) at System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement.UserPrincipal.FindByIdentity(PrincipalContext context, IdentityType identityType, String identityValue) at UI_Controls_SharepointControl.Page_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)

You need to specify a fixed account to access AD using:

Dim ctx As New PrincipalContext(ContextType.Domain, “[domain]”, “[accountName]”, “[password]”)

This is not so good! What if I wanted to use the current users credentials to update only fields that they are allowed to update in AD? If I use a static account that can access any users fields then this becomes a security risk.

Ahh well, I will live with it for now, but if anyone has another suggestion…

Technorati Tags: .NET   WCF

Subscribe

Related Blog

No related videos found.

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Alignment Healthcare Logo

Alignment Healthcare

ProgramUtvikling Logo

ProgramUtvikling

Schlumberger Logo

Schlumberger

Bistech Logo

Bistech

Healthgrades Logo

Healthgrades

New Signature Logo

New Signature

ALS Life Sciences Logo

ALS Life Sciences

Big Data for Humans Logo

Big Data for Humans

Slaughter and May Logo

Slaughter and May

Workday Logo

Workday

Sage Logo

Sage

YearUp.org Logo

YearUp.org

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG) Logo

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG)

Boxit Document Solutions Logo

Boxit Document Solutions

Hubtel Ghana Logo

Hubtel Ghana

Qualco Logo

Qualco

NIT A/S

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Royal Air Force Logo

Royal Air Force

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Washington Department of Transport Logo

Washington Department of Transport

Teleplan Logo

Teleplan

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Bistech Logo

Bistech

Deliotte Logo

Deliotte

Illumina Logo

Illumina

Boxit Document Solutions Logo

Boxit Document Solutions