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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

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Posted on by Tech-Lucky

1,261 Super User 2025 Season 2

Hi Experts,

I already know the process of protecting the source code for on-premise use by utilizing runtime packages. However, my question pertains to safeguarding my source code from appsource extensions. I am aware that signing the app using a code signing certificate and employing resource exposure policies are viable options. Nevertheless, it is still possible for the app file to be extracted, and the source code accessed using tools like WinRAR or Zip. Can anyone suggest additional measures I might be overlooking apart from these?

/resourceExposurePolicy/: {

/allowDebugging/: false,

/allowDownloadingSource/: false,

/includeSourceInSymbolFile/: false

}

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Dynamics 365 Business Central

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Mohamed Amine Mahmoudi 26,348 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

Hi @Tech-Lucky,

I think you did the right thing because you put in the right properties.
to be sure try to install the app in another environment then redo the download

it's true you can show the button Download Source enabled.

but when clicked you have this error message

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Javier.Armesto 14 User Group Leader on at

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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

With this configuration, your IP must be protected. In addition, you must have careful with this https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-security-settings-and-ip-protection#when-can-code-be-viewed-even-though-the-allowdebugging-flag-is-set-to-false
More information here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-security-settings-and-ip-protection#the-properties-of-the-resource-exposure-policy:

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Tech-Lucky 1,261 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

Hi Javier.Armesto

I attempted to set applyToDevExtension to false as well, but that also did not work.
Let me clarify my issue once again: I am encountering the same validation error while downloading the source code from the extension management page, as Mohamed Amine Mahmoudi shared in the screenshots. However, the problem persists when I receive the AppFile as Symbols in .alpackages; I am still able to extract that app file using WinRAR software, and all the source code remains exportable.

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YUN ZHU 93,317 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

Hi, For SaaS customers, those who have installed your AppSource application cannot download it on the extension management, and users cannot directly obtain the app file, so users cannot decompress it.

For On-Pre customers, you can send them Runtime Packages, which cannot be decompressed.

More details: Runtime Packages for Dynamics 365 Business Central On-Premises (Protect the intellectual property represented by your AL source code)
https://yzhums.com/17327/

Hope this can give you some hints.

Thanks.

ZHU

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Tech-Lucky 1,261 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

YUN ZHU

I know users can't download it, but a partner can use my app as dependency and download it as a symbol then it should not be extracted.

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YUN ZHU 93,317 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

Hi, I don’t know if you have tested it. Generally, as you mentioned, partners basically have the following settings.

  /allowDebugging/: false,

  /allowDownloadingSource/: false,

  /includeSourceInSymbolFile/: false

So this doesn't work either.

For example, I randomly downloaded a free app. Add the dependencies attribute and download the symbol file.

You can decompress this file, but you will get some xml files below and you cannot see the al file.

If it could be copied so easily, I don't think any partner would choose to put the apps on AppSource.

Thanks.

ZHU

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Tech-Lucky 1,261 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Source Code Security for AppSource Apps

YUN ZHU

I did the same with my app and it was having AL files as well that's why I wonder if I missed something.

But thanks for your support I will Try again may be this is something related to my codesigning.

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