> Source: [sk184696](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk184696)

# sk184696 - Service Process is blocked despite being allowed by AppControl Custom Rules

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk184696 |
| Date Created | 2026-03-04 |
| Last Modified | 2026-03-09 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Security Gateway |
| Versions | R82.10, R82, R81.20 |
| OS | Windows |

## Symptoms

- The user has configured a policy to block all applications using the Application Control blade and want to allow a certain service application through a custom rule. However, the service application continues to get blocked, as per the Application Control logs.

## Cause

The issue occurs due to a race condition between the allowed service and the Application Control enforcement module (`vsmon`). During system startup, the operating system launches both services simultaneously. Depending on the timing, one of the following behaviors occurs:  

* If the allowed service starts after `vsmon` finishes loading user-defined rules, the service runs without issues.
* If the allowed service starts before `vsmon` loads the user-defined rules, the service remains running even if the user-defined rules should block it.
* If the allowed service starts while `vsmon` is still loading user-defined rules, the service is terminated according to the default rule---even if user-defined rules allow it.

## Solution

* **Recommended** :  
  This behavior is fixed in **E89.20** . Upgrade endpoint clients to E89.20 or higher.  
  The workaround ensures that loading rules are performed as an atomic operation.
* **For environments running E88.72** :

  [Contact Check Point Support](https://www.checkpoint.com/support-services/contact-support/) to get a Hotfix for this issue.

  A Support Engineer will make sure the Hotfix is compatible with your environment before providing it.  
  For faster resolution and verification, collect these files:
  1. [CPinfo](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk92739) file from the Management Server involved in the case.
  2. [CPinfo](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk92739) file from the Security Gateway / each Cluster Member / Security Group involved in the case.

  **Hotfix installation instructions:**   
  Refer to [sk168597 - How to install a Hotfix](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk168597).

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