To debug some code, I would like to view the Windows event log of a remote machine (target is Windows2003). With mmc.exe I can add the event log for a remote machine, but only if I have sufficient permissions. For this remote machine, they do not want to give me permissions to log in remotely (or admin privileges for that matter). Is there a specific permission I can be given to view the event log and not much else?
If you could enable web access to the server then you could use an eventlog viewer page that I published a while ago. This would allow the administrators to run the website with just enough permissions to see the eventlog without granting you an account to login...
For the security log, users need the privilege "Manage auditing and security log"
For the system and applciation logs you should be able to read them as just a guest unless they have set the RestrictGuestAZccess value under the following registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\System HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\Application
One Option is to get a local ID that is on the remote local admin group.
Next, from your system, map to a drive on the remote server using the new remote local ID.
Create a new MMC from the Windows Run start menu - by typing in MMC /a
Add the EventView Snap-in
When it prompts you for local or remote server - put in the Host name of the server that you mapped to.
Tip: Windows uses established secure connection - if it can. Hence the map a drive trick work VERY well.
Please Note: I use this trick with WMI query(s) - hence the query never fails do to a timeout issue.
Joshua Flanagan outlined a process to delegate rights through modifying the security descriptor of the event logs.