Running win32 executable from an open website

Question

I was presented an architectural challenge and I am looking for ideas.

The client has an existing native win32 application, which is quite resistant to changes in any, but trivial way. It is written in unmanaged C ++ and uses at least one third-party DLL, so it is not a standalone exe. That it does not really matter, think of it as a tool for communication with customers. Ideally, the client wants to run this from a website, and not publish it as an installed program. In addition, the client must pass the token to the executable when it is executed, so it can call home and request additional instructions.

I will continue and agree that how the application will be launched should have been one of the first design considerations, not the last, but this is what it is.

Protection against malware, spyware, trojans, etc. makes this model very unlikely. I have more experience in not doing this, except to find a legitimate way to do it.

Any ideas (positive or negative) are welcome.

Answer 1

Convince the client to let your company correct the initial design flaw, most likely at their own expense. Apologize. LOT.

Answer 2

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A second, crazier idea would be to integrate the installer into the application, so when it launches for the first time, it installs itself, and then it launches itself. Then just tell the customer that it will take a long time to start for the first time.

Please clarify if my answers tell me that I do not understand the problem. I am very interested to know more about the situation.