Permission denied installing Extension Pack

[Natsky]

I can install VirtualBox (v4.3.10) but run into problems when I try to install the Extension Pack.

I have a MacBook Air running OSX v10.9.2
I get the error message below.
Failed to install the Extension Pack /Users/mds3/Downloads/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-4.3.10-93012.vbox-extpack.

The installer failed with exit code 1: VBoxExtPackHelperApp: error: The owner is not root: '/Applications'.

Result Code: NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005)
Component: ExtPackManager
Interface: IExtPackManager {3295e6ce-b051-47b2-9514-2c588bfe7554}

If I try to remove it from a Terminal with
sudo VBoxManage extpack install ~/Downloads/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-4.3.10-93012.vbox-extpack

I get told

Progress state: NS_ERROR_FAILURE
VBoxManage: error: Failed to install "/Users/mds3/Downloads/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-4.3.10-93012.vbox-extpack"
VBoxManage: error: The installer failed with exit code 1: VBoxExtPackHelperApp: error: The owner is not root: '/Applications'
VBoxManage: error: Details: code NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005), component ExtPackManager, interface IExtPackManager
VBoxManage: error: Context: "int handleExtPack(HandlerArg*)" at line 1143 of file VBoxManageMisc.cpp

ls -lg shows
drwxrwxr-x@ 90 staff 3060 20 Apr 08:32 Applications

VBoxManage list extpacks
Extension Packs: 0

If I try to run a WindowsXP Virtual Machine I get
Failed to open a session for the virtual machine MDS Windows XP.

Failed to load VMMR0.r0 (VERR_SUPLIB_OWNER_NOT_ROOT).

Result Code: NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005)
Component: Console
Interface: IConsole {8ab7c520-2442-4b66-8d74-4ff1e195d2b6}


I am familiar with Linux systems but not MacOS and am stumped by this problem. Any solutions would be very welcome!

[loukingjr]

the way I've installed the extension pack is to open VirtualBox and just dbl-click on the extension pack file. you should get a dialog window asking you if you want to install it. if that is where you are getting the error message, open System Preferences>Security & Privacy check "Allow apps downloaded from anywhere" and close. Try again.

change your security & privacy back after you're finished.

[socratis]

The owner is not root: '/Applications'.

Your permissions are not correct on your system. Something or someone messed it up. Open 'Disk Utility' (under /Applications/Utilities) and on the left hand side select your main HD/partition. On the right-hand side, under the 'First Aid' tab, click on the 'Repair Disk Permissions'. If you prefer the command line:

diskutil repairPermissions /

[loukingjr]

sigh. Although there is a possibility your permissions are incorrect, there is no need to use the terminal or the sudo command just to remove a file from the download folder. you can just drag it to the trash or right click on it and select "Move To Trash"

hopefully you didn't install VirtualBox using 'sudo'
It's extremely rare you would ever have to do anything on a Mac as 'root'

however, try what I suggested first and if that doesn't work, then try running repair disk permissions.

[Natsky]

Hello Socratis,
This was exactly what was causing the problem. Your solution worked perfectly and I now have the extension pack installed and working virtual machines.
Many thanks!

[loukingjr]

Hello Socratis,
This was exactly what was causing the problem. Your solution worked perfectly and I now have the extension pack installed and working virtual machines.
Many thanks!

try to stay away from using sudo commands. it's most likely why your permissions were askew.

[loukingjr]

just a side note. Apple recommends NOT creating a root account in OSX and it's not straightforward to do so. They do that because they know how people screw things up. In the twelve years I've using OSX I've never had to repair disk permissions. What are you people doing out there?

[socratis]

Louis, you don't need to 'sudo' to repair disk permissions (and I never suggested to). An admin account suffices. As for the 'sudo', there's plenty of times where you have to use it, directly or indirectly. Installing and removing VirtualBox is one of them (kernel extensions). Finally, 'sudo' is not the same as root. You could 'su' to become root, but at the same time can't 'sudo' because you're not in the 'sudoers' list (see default Fedora installations for example). Don't get confused over the terminology.

In OSX the 'root' account is not easily accessible. But it is there. Try this (I am a simple user on my computer, MB2300):

Code: Select all

MB2300:~ socratis$ whoami
socratis
MB2300:~ socratis$ su <myAdminAccount>
Password: (myAdminAccountPassword)
bash-3.2# whoami
<myAdminAccount>
bash-3.2$ sudo -s
Password: (myAdminAccountPassword)
bash-3.2# whoami
root
bash-3.2# 

As for the repair permissions, it only takes a poorly written installer (Adobe Flash used to be one for example) to mess your filesystem permissions. In Natsky's case that was exactly the problem. His '/Applications/' folder was group:staff, not group:wheel. Since you haven't repaired your disk permissions in 12 years, try to run it and see what it reports back. You might be in for a surprise

[loukingjr]

...

the original poster was using sudo and I realize it's not the same as root. I also never claimed you said you need to use sudo to repair disk permissions. I've never used sudo to install or remove VirtualBox on a Mac and I've been using VirtualBox for 5 years. As far as (kernel extensions) as far as I know that only applies if you are trying to run OSX as a guest. Which in my case I have no reason to run OSX guests. I didn't say sudo is never used, I said "it's extremely rare you would ever have to do anything on a Mac as 'root'"

I would just add one of the reasons I don't run repair disk permissions is because everything runs and there isn't much point. The other reason is I modify permissions to suit my needs and if I repaired them it would undo what I have set. Thanks for stopping by though.

I forgot to mention I am a Mac Developer and run OSX from 10.7.5 to 10.9.3
in case you have some doubt.

[socratis]

I've never used sudo to install or remove VirtualBox

I forgot to mention I am a Mac Developer

But, off course you are. You may have noticed then the 'sudo' in the uninstall script of VirtualBox. And every time the installer asks for your admin password, a 'sudo' is used behind the scenes. But, then again, this is a VirtualBox forum and not a Mac support forum/learning center. I don't believe that we should be continuing this discussion here. The OP's question was successfully answered.-

@Natsky
Would you mind adding a "[SOLVED]" in front of your original post so that the rest of the community can benefit?

[loukingjr]

But, off course you are. You may have noticed then the 'sudo' in the uninstall script of VirtualBox. And every time the installer asks for your admin password, a 'sudo' is used behind the scenes.

I've not used the uninstall tool to install, remove or update VirtualBox.

so what I said remains correct. I posted the screenshot of 10.9.3 so you could see I'm running it. Do you know how one get's a version of OSX before it is released? lol
thanks for dropping by again.

[rpmurray]

Do you know how one get's a version of OSX before it is released? lol.

That attachment looks photoshopped to me. I've seen quite a few shops in my time and I can tell from the pixels.

[loukingjr]

Do you know how one get's a version of OSX before it is released? lol.

That attachment looks photoshopped to me. I've seen quite a few shops in my time and I can tell from the pixels.

danke