SAS® Life Science Analytics Framework 5.4.x – Access to Microsoft Office files via WebDAV connections are blocked by Microsoft


SAS Technical Support is providing this SAS KB article to raise awareness for customers and users of the SAS Life Science Analytics Framework application who might encounter the following scenario: access to Microsoft Office files via WebDAV connections to the application repository and workspace is being blocked.

Microsoft 365 apps are now blocking WebDAV access to Microsoft Office files because WebDAV connections use basic authentication.

Blocking access to Microsoft Office files occurs because the sign-in prompt is not allowed to surface, and therefore prevents you from authenticating and subsequently accessing the desired document.

When blocking occurs, a Microsoft Office pop-up dialog box is displayed with the following message:

Microsoft Office has blocked access to xxxxxx because the source uses a sign-in method that may be unsecure.

The dialog box content directs you to your site’s IT support team to determine how to proceed.

For more information, see Basic authentication sign-in prompts are blocked by default in Microsoft 365 Apps - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn.

Note that Microsoft has documented several viable workarounds pending approval from your IT or security teams.

Since SAS is aware of the restriction being imposed by Microsoft due to security concerns, SAS will be modifying its position regarding support of WebDAV moving forward.

For current users of WebDAV connections to SAS Life Science Analytics Framework, be advised that you should raise the issue with your IT or security teams and continue to use based on their recommendations, and/or continue to use at your own risk.  

Workaround

SAS Life Science Analytics Framework enables users to remove access to WebDAV at the user level if deemed necessary.

To determine whether any of the available workarounds from Microsoft are viable for your site, you should contact the members of your IT or security teams to discuss in more detail.

One of the most straightforward solutions is to add the site-specific SAS Life Science Analytics Framework instance URL as a “trusted location” within the Microsoft Office application Trust Center.

For additional information about this solution, see Add, remove, or change a trusted location in Microsoft Office - Microsoft Support.