Surpass Secure Client - .Net Framework Error

[stanwell]

Hi,

 

I'm just wondering if anybody else is having this issue with Surpass Secure Client and if anybody has found a solution. When we open the software it immediately crashes (most times). The screen flashes white (I.e. the background of the Surpass app) and it just closes with no error messages etc. on screen. This doesn't happen every single time, but it does happen a lot. The Windows application log shows a .Net Framework error (see below). I've been speaking to WJEC who are communicating with the developers and so far they've just told me that it's because we don't have .Net v4.7.2 installed. However, we're running Win 10 22H2 which already has .Net v4.8 which is backwards compatible and it won't allow us to install an older version. I've sent the screenshot below (along with logs etc.) to WJEC/Surpass and I'm waiting for a response, just wondering if this is only affecting us? We've been fighting with this software for the last few weeks, but we have an exam on the 11th so I'm getting concerned. Even if we can get the software to launch, it doesn't fill me with confidence that it will be stable throughout the exam.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Dan

[3s-gtech]

What folder have you installed SA to? I think I had to poke it into Program Files as it wants to be in the profiles - is that right?

[stanwell]

I've installed it in the default location "C:\Users\Public\Surpass\SecureClient_WJEC". The local users group has write access, but it crashes when logged on as a domain admin too, so I don't think it's permissions.

[dfergusson]

You need to install Redistributable Package (Visual C++) if not already installed.

 

https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x86.exe

[3s-gtech]

I put it in Program Files. Windows likes it when programs are there (or sometimes in the user's own profile, like Teams). Can you do a test with it in Program Files (x86) instead? Edited June 4, 2024 by 3s-gtech

[stanwell]

In response to dfergusson:

Thanks, I've done that too. The full error message looks like the issue occurs when they try to clear the clipboard:

 

Application: Surpass Secure Client.exe

Framework Version: v4.0.30319

Description: The process was terminated due to an unhandled exception.

Exception Info: System.Runtime.InteropServices.ExternalException

at System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.ThrowIfFailed(Int32)

at System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.SetDataObject(System.Object, Boolean, Int32, Int32)

at System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.SetText(System.String, System.Windows.Forms.TextDataFormat)

at System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.SetText(System.String)

at BTL.Surpass.SecureClient.Clipboard+<>c.()

at BTL.Surpass.SecureClient.Clipboard.(System.Action)

at BTL.Surpass.SecureClient.Clipboard.ClearClipboardText()

at BTL.Surpass.SecureClient.Clipboard+<>c.()

at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart_Context(System.Object)

at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean)

at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean)

at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object)

at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart()

[stanwell]

I've just installed it in Program Files (x86) and still get the same crash if I run it as an admin. If I run without elevation I get an update loop due to the write protection on Program Files.

[3s-gtech]

Can you bypass the update program and run the app itself?

[PotNoodleTech]

I've just installed it in Program Files (x86) and still get the same crash if I run it as an admin. If I run without elevation I get an update loop due to the write protection on Program Files.

 

What write protection on Program Files?? Do you have some custom security in your GPOs for Program files folder?

 

I always install it to program files and dont have this issue running 22H2 here too. .net stuff was in previous windows updates you sure your up to date?

[stanwell]

No we don't have anything specifically restricting Program Files. I was just referring to default permissions and UAC.

 

I've done a bit more testing and I'm hoping I may have found the problem. The stack trace I posted above references various interop methods for the Windows clipboard, so I started thinking about what else may be accessing the clipboard on those PCs. We have Veyon classroom management software installed in that room which uses UltraVNC. As you probably know, VNC is able to sync the host clipboard with a remote client so I tried disabling the Veyon service and was able to open Secure Client several times in a row without it crashing. I've only tried this on one PC so far but hopefully that's the answer. I'll try some more in the morning and see how I get on.

 

Thanks for the help, I'll let you know what happens.

[stanwell]

Just a quick update to say that worked.

[Jaan]

Just a quick update to say that worked.

 

WOW good find, hopefully they will update their documentation for future users.