Permissions (Database Engine)
Every SQL Server securable has associated permissions that can be granted to a principal. This topic provides the following information:
Permissions naming conventions
Permissions related to specific securables
SQL Server permissions
Permission check algorithm
Examples
Permissions Naming Conventions
The following describes the general conventions that are followed for naming permissions:
CONTROL
Confers ownership-like capabilities on the grantee. The grantee effectively has all defined permissions on the securable. A principal that has been granted CONTROL can also grant permissions on the securable. Because the SQL Server security model is hierarchical, CONTROL at a particular scope implicitly includes CONTROL on all the securables under that scope. For example, CONTROL on a database implies all permissions on the database, all permissions on all assemblies in the database, all permissions on all schemas in the database, and all permissions on objects within all schemas within the database.
ALTER
Confers the ability to change the properties, except ownership, of a particular securable. When granted on a scope, ALTER also bestows the ability to alter, create, or drop any securable that is contained within that scope. For example, ALTER permission on a schema includes the ability to create, alter, and drop objects from the schema.
ALTER ANY <Server Securable>, where Server Securable can be any server securable.
Confers the ability to create, alter, or drop individual instances of the Server Securable. For example, ALTER ANY LOGIN confers the ability to create, alter, or drop any login in the instance.
ALTER ANY <Database Securable>, where Database Securable can be any securable at the database level.
Confers the ability to CREATE, ALTER, or DROP individual instances of the Database Securable. For example, ALTER ANY SCHEMA confers the ability to create, alter, or drop any schema in the database.
TAKE OWNERSHIP
Enables the grantee to take ownership of the securable on which it is granted.
IMPERSONATE <Login>
Enables the grantee to impersonate the login.
IMPERSONATE <User>
Enables the grantee to impersonate the user.
CREATE <Server Securable>
Confers to the grantee the ability to create the Server Securable.
CREATE <Database Securable>
Confers to the grantee the ability to create the Database Securable.
CREATE <Schema-contained Securable>
Confers the ability to create the schema-contained securable. However, ALTER permission on the schema is required to create the securable in a particular schema.
VIEW DEFINITION
Enables the grantee to access metadata.
REFERENCES
The REFERENCES permission on a table is needed to create a FOREIGN KEY constraint that references that table.
The REFERENCES permission is needed on an object to create a FUNCTION or VIEW with the WITH SCHEMABINDING clause that references that object.
Chart of SQL Server Permissions
For a poster sized chart of all Database Engine permissions in pdf format, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=229142.
Permissions Applicable to Specific Securables
The following table lists major classes of permissions and the kinds of securables to which they may be applied.
Permission |
Applies to |
---|---|
SELECT |
Synonyms Tables and columns Table-valued functions, Transact-SQL and common language runtime (CLR), and columns Views and columns |
VIEW CHANGE TRACKING |
Tables Schemas |
UPDATE |
Synonyms Tables and columns Views and columns |
REFERENCES |
Scalar and aggregate functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Service Broker queues Tables and columns Table-valued functions (Transact-SQL and CLR), and columns Types Views and columns |
INSERT |
Synonyms Tables and columns Views and columns |
DELETE |
Synonyms Tables and columns Views and columns |
EXECUTE |
Procedures (Transact-SQL and CLR) Scalar and aggregate functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Synonyms CLR types |
RECEIVE |
Service Broker queues |
VIEW DEFINITION |
Procedures (Transact-SQL and CLR) Service Broker queues Scalar and aggregate functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Synonyms Tables Table-valued functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Views |
ALTER |
Procedures (Transact-SQL and CLR) Scalar and aggregate functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Service Broker queues Tables Table-valued functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Views |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
Procedures (Transact-SQL and CLR) Scalar and aggregate functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Synonyms Tables Table-valued functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Views |
CONTROL |
Procedures (Transact-SQL and CLR) Scalar and aggregate functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Service Broker queues Synonyms Tables Table-valued functions (Transact-SQL and CLR) Views |
SQL Server Permissions
The following table provides a complete list of SQL Server permissions.
Base securable |
Granular permissions on base securable |
Permission type code |
Securable that contains base securable |
Permission on container securable that implies granular permission on base securable |
---|---|---|---|---|
APPLICATION ROLE |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY APPLICATION ROLE |
APPLICATION ROLE |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
APPLICATION ROLE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
ASSEMBLY |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ASSEMBLY |
ASSEMBLY |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ASSEMBLY |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
ASSEMBLY |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ASSEMBLY |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
ASYMMETRIC KEY |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ASYMMETRIC KEY |
ASYMMETRIC KEY |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ASYMMETRIC KEY |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
ASYMMETRIC KEY |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ASYMMETRIC KEY |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
CERTIFICATE |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY CERTIFICATE |
CERTIFICATE |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
CERTIFICATE |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
CERTIFICATE |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
CERTIFICATE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
CONTRACT |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY CONTRACT |
CONTRACT |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
CONTRACT |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
CONTRACT |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
CONTRACT |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
DATABASE |
ALTER |
AL |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY DATABASE |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY APPLICATION ROLE |
ALAR |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ASSEMBLY |
ALAS |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ASYMMETRIC KEY |
ALAK |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY CERTIFICATE |
ALCF |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY CONTRACT |
ALSC |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY DATABASE AUDIT |
ALDA |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY SERVER AUDIT |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY DATABASE DDL TRIGGER |
ALTG |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY DATABASE EVENT NOTIFICATION |
ALED |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY EVENT NOTIFICATION |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY DATASPACE |
ALDS |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY FULLTEXT CATALOG |
ALFT |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY MESSAGE TYPE |
ALMT |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY REMOTE SERVICE BINDING |
ALSB |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ROLE |
ALRL |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ROUTE |
ALRT |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY SCHEMA |
ALSM |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY SERVICE |
ALSV |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY SYMMETRIC KEY |
ALSK |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY USER |
ALUS |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
AUTHENTICATE |
AUTH |
SERVER |
AUTHENTICATE SERVER |
DATABASE |
BACKUP DATABASE |
BADB |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
BACKUP LOG |
BALO |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CHECKPOINT |
CP |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CONNECT |
CO |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CONNECT REPLICATION |
CORP |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
CL |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE AGGREGATE |
CRAG |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE ASSEMBLY |
CRAS |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE ASYMMETRIC KEY |
CRAK |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE CERTIFICATE |
CRCF |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE CONTRACT |
CRSC |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE DATABASE |
CRDB |
SERVER |
CREATE ANY DATABASE |
DATABASE |
CREATE DATABASE DDL EVENT NOTIFICATION |
CRED |
SERVER |
CREATE DDL EVENT NOTIFICATION |
DATABASE |
CREATE DEFAULT |
CRDF |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE FULLTEXT CATALOG |
CRFT |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE FUNCTION |
CRFN |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE MESSAGE TYPE |
CRMT |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE PROCEDURE |
CRPR |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE QUEUE |
CRQU |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE REMOTE SERVICE BINDING |
CRSB |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE ROLE |
CRRL |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE ROUTE |
CRRT |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE RULE |
CRRU |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE SCHEMA |
CRSM |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE SERVICE |
CRSV |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY |
CRSK |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE SYNONYM |
CRSN |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE TABLE |
CRTB |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE TYPE |
CRTY |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE VIEW |
CRVW |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
CREATE XML SCHEMA COLLECTION |
CRXS |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
DELETE |
DL |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
EXECUTE |
EX |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
INSERT |
IN |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
RF |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
SELECT |
SL |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
SHOWPLAN |
SPLN |
SERVER |
ALTER TRACE |
DATABASE |
SUBSCRIBE QUERY NOTIFICATIONS |
SUQN |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
UPDATE |
UP |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
DATABASE |
VIEW DATABASE STATE |
VWDS |
SERVER |
VIEW SERVER STATE |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
SERVER |
VIEW ANY DEFINITION |
ENDPOINT |
ALTER |
AL |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY ENDPOINT |
ENDPOINT |
CONNECT |
CO |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
ENDPOINT |
CONTROL |
CL |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
ENDPOINT |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
ENDPOINT |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
SERVER |
VIEW ANY DEFINITION |
FULLTEXT CATALOG |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY FULLTEXT CATALOG |
FULLTEXT CATALOG |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
FULLTEXT CATALOG |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
FULLTEXT CATALOG |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
FULLTEXT CATALOG |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
FULLTEXT STOPLIST |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY FULLTEXT CATALOG |
FULLTEXT STOPLIST |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
FULLTEXT STOPLIST |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
FULLTEXT STOPLIST |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
FULLTEXT STOPLIST |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
LOGIN |
ALTER |
AL |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY LOGIN |
LOGIN |
CONTROL |
CL |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
LOGIN |
IMPERSONATE |
IM |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
LOGIN |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
SERVER |
VIEW ANY DEFINITION |
MESSAGE TYPE |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY MESSAGE TYPE |
MESSAGE TYPE |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
MESSAGE TYPE |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
MESSAGE TYPE |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
MESSAGE TYPE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
OBJECT |
ALTER |
AL |
SCHEMA |
ALTER |
OBJECT |
CONTROL |
CL |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
OBJECT |
DELETE |
DL |
SCHEMA |
DELETE |
OBJECT |
EXECUTE |
EX |
SCHEMA |
EXECUTE |
OBJECT |
INSERT |
IN |
SCHEMA |
INSERT |
OBJECT |
RECEIVE |
RC |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
OBJECT |
REFERENCES |
RF |
SCHEMA |
REFERENCES |
OBJECT |
SELECT |
SL |
SCHEMA |
SELECT |
OBJECT |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
OBJECT |
UPDATE |
UP |
SCHEMA |
UPDATE |
OBJECT |
VIEW CHANGE TRACKING |
VWCT |
SCHEMA |
VIEW CHANGE TRACKING |
OBJECT |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
SCHEMA |
VIEW DEFINITION |
REMOTE SERVICE BINDING |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY REMOTE SERVICE BINDING |
REMOTE SERVICE BINDING |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
REMOTE SERVICE BINDING |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
REMOTE SERVICE BINDING |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
ROLE |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ROLE |
ROLE |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ROLE |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ROLE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
ROUTE |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY ROUTE |
ROUTE |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ROUTE |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
ROUTE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
SCHEMA |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY SCHEMA |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
SCHEMA |
DELETE |
DL |
DATABASE |
DELETE |
SCHEMA |
EXECUTE |
EX |
DATABASE |
EXECUTE |
SCHEMA |
INSERT |
IN |
DATABASE |
INSERT |
SCHEMA |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
SCHEMA |
SELECT |
SL |
DATABASE |
SELECT |
SCHEMA |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
SCHEMA |
UPDATE |
UP |
DATABASE |
UPDATE |
SCHEMA |
VIEW CHANGE TRACKING |
VWCT |
DATABASE |
VIEW CHANGE TRACKING |
SCHEMA |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
SERVER |
ADMINISTER BULK OPERATIONS |
ADBO |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY CONNECTION |
ALCO |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY CREDENTIAL |
ALCD |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY DATABASE |
ALDB |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY ENDPOINT |
ALHE |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY EVENT NOTIFICATION |
ALES |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY LINKED SERVER |
ALLS |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY LOGIN |
ALLG |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER ANY SERVER AUDIT |
ALAA |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER RESOURCES |
ALRS |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER SERVER STATE |
ALSS |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER SETTINGS |
ALST |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
ALTER TRACE |
ALTR |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
AUTHENTICATE SERVER |
AUTH |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
CONNECT SQL |
COSQ |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
CONTROL SERVER |
CL |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
CREATE ANY DATABASE |
CRDB |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
CREATE DDL EVENT NOTIFICATION |
CRDE |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
CREATE ENDPOINT |
CRHE |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
CREATE TRACE EVENT NOTIFICATION |
CRTE |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
EXTERNAL ACCESS ASSEMBLY |
XA |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
SHUTDOWN |
SHDN |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
UNSAFE ASSEMBLY |
XU |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
VIEW ANY DATABASE |
VWDB |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
VIEW ANY DEFINITION |
VWAD |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVER |
VIEW SERVER STATE |
VWSS |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
SERVICE |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY SERVICE |
SERVICE |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
SERVICE |
SEND |
SN |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
SERVICE |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
SERVICE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
SYMMETRIC KEY |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY SYMMETRIC KEY |
SYMMETRIC KEY |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
SYMMETRIC KEY |
REFERENCES |
RF |
DATABASE |
REFERENCES |
SYMMETRIC KEY |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
SYMMETRIC KEY |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
TYPE |
CONTROL |
CL |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
TYPE |
EXECUTE |
EX |
SCHEMA |
EXECUTE |
TYPE |
REFERENCES |
RF |
SCHEMA |
REFERENCES |
TYPE |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
TYPE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
SCHEMA |
VIEW DEFINITION |
USER |
ALTER |
AL |
DATABASE |
ALTER ANY USER |
USER |
CONTROL |
CL |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
USER |
IMPERSONATE |
IM |
DATABASE |
CONTROL |
USER |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
DATABASE |
VIEW DEFINITION |
XML SCHEMA COLLECTION |
ALTER |
AL |
SCHEMA |
ALTER |
XML SCHEMA COLLECTION |
CONTROL |
CL |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
XML SCHEMA COLLECTION |
EXECUTE |
EX |
SCHEMA |
EXECUTE |
XML SCHEMA COLLECTION |
REFERENCES |
RF |
SCHEMA |
REFERENCES |
XML SCHEMA COLLECTION |
TAKE OWNERSHIP |
TO |
SCHEMA |
CONTROL |
XML SCHEMA COLLECTION |
VIEW DEFINITION |
VW |
SCHEMA |
VIEW DEFINITION |
Summary of the Permission Check Algorithm
Checking permissions can be complex. The permission check algorithm includes overlapping group memberships and ownership chaining, both explicit and implicit permission, and can be affected by the permissions on securable classes that contain the securable entity. The general process of the algorithm is to collect all the relevant permissions. If no blocking DENY is found, the algorithm searches for a GRANT that provides sufficient access. The algorithm contains three essential elements, the security context, the permission space, and the required permission.
Note
You cannot grant, deny, or revoke permissions to sa, dbo, the entity owner, information_schema, sys, or yourself.
Security context
This is the group of principals that contribute permissions to the access check. These are permissions that are related to the current login or user, unless the security context was changed to another login or user by using the EXECUTE AS statement. The security context includes the following principals:
The login
The user
Role memberships
Windows group memberships
If module signing is being used, any login or user account for the certificate used to sign the module that the user is currently executing, and the associated role memberships of that principal.
Permission space
This is the securable entity and any securable classes that contain the securable. For example, a table (a securable entity) is contained by the schema securable class and by the database securable class. Access can be affected by table-, schema-, database-, and server-level permissions. For more information, see Permissions Hierarchy (Database Engine).
Required permission
The kind of permission that is required. For example, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, SELECT, EXECUTE, ALTER, CONTROL, and so on.
Access can require multiple permissions, as in the following examples:
A stored procedure can require both EXECUTE permission on the stored procedure and INSERT permission on several tables that are referenced by the stored procedure.
A dynamic management view can require both VIEW SERVER STATE and SELECT permission on the view.
General Steps of the Algorithm
When the algorithm is determining whether to allow access to a securable, the precise steps that it uses can vary, depending on the principals and the securables that are involved. However, the algorithm performs the following general steps:
Bypass the permission check if the login is a member of the sysadmin fixed server role or if the user is the dbo user in the current database.
Allow access if ownership chaining is applicable and the access check on the object earlier in the chain passed the security check. For more information about ownership chaining, see Ownership Chains.
Aggregate the server-level, database-level, and signed-module identities that are associated with the caller to create the security context.
For that security context, collect all the permissions that are granted or denied for the permission space. The permission can be explicitly stated as a GRANT, GRANT WITH GRANT, or DENY; or the permissions can be an implied or covering permission GRANT or DENY. For example, CONTROL permission on a schema implies CONTROL on a table. And CONTROL on a table implies SELECT. Therefore, if CONTROL on the schema was granted, SELECT on the table is granted. If CONTROL was denied on the table, SELECT on the table is denied. For more information, see Covering/Implied Permissions (Database Engine).
Note
A GRANT of a column-level permission overrides a DENY at the object level.
Identify the required permission.
Fail the permission check if the required permission is directly or implicitly denied to any of the identities in the security context for the objects in the permission space.
Pass the permission check if the required permission was not denied and the required permission contains a GRANT or a GRANT WITH GRANT permission either directly or implicitly to any of the identities in the security context for any object in the permission space.
Examples
The following examples show how to retrieve permissions information.
A. Returning the complete list of grantable permissions
The following statement returns all Database Engine permission by using the fn_builtin_permissions function. For more information, seesys.fn_builtin_permissions (Transact-SQL).
SELECT * FROM fn_builtin_permissions(default);
GO
B. Returning the permissions on a particular class of objects
You can also use fn_builtin_permissions function to see all the permissions that are available for a category of securable. The following example returns permissions on assemblies.
SELECT * FROM fn_builtin_permissions('assembly');
GO
C. Returning the permissions granted to the executing principal on an object
You can use fn_my_permissions to return a list of the effective permissions that are held by the calling principal on a specified securable. For more information, seefn_my_permissions (Transact-SQL). The following example returns permissions on an object named Orders55.
SELECT * FROM fn_my_permissions('Orders55', 'object');
GO
D. Returning the permissions applicable to a specified object
The following example returns permissions applicable to an object called Yttrium. Notice that the built-in function OBJECT_ID is used to retrieve the ID of object Yttrium.
SELECT * FROM sys.database_permissions
WHERE major_id = OBJECT_ID('Yttrium');
GO