Adding upstream version 6.0.4-dfsg.upstream/6.0.4-dfsgupstream

Signed-off-by: Daniel Baumann <daniel.baumann@progress-linux.org>

1 files changed, 1849 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/src/VBox/Runtime/common/vfs/vfschain.cpp b/src/VBox/Runtime/common/vfs/vfschain.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79f748de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/VBox/Runtime/common/vfs/vfschain.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,1849 @@
+/* $Id: vfschain.cpp $ */
+/** @file
+ * IPRT - Virtual File System, Chains.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2010-2019 Oracle Corporation
+ *
+ * This file is part of VirtualBox Open Source Edition (OSE), as
+ * available from http://www.virtualbox.org. This file is free software;
+ * you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU
+ * General Public License (GPL) as published by the Free Software
+ * Foundation, in version 2 as it comes in the "COPYING" file of the
+ * VirtualBox OSE distribution. VirtualBox OSE is distributed in the
+ * hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY of any kind.
+ *
+ * The contents of this file may alternatively be used under the terms
+ * of the Common Development and Distribution License Version 1.0
+ * (CDDL) only, as it comes in the "COPYING.CDDL" file of the
+ * VirtualBox OSE distribution, in which case the provisions of the
+ * CDDL are applicable instead of those of the GPL.
+ *
+ * You may elect to license modified versions of this file under the
+ * terms and conditions of either the GPL or the CDDL or both.
+ */
+
+
+/*********************************************************************************************************************************
+*   Header Files                                                                                                                 *
+*********************************************************************************************************************************/
+#include <iprt/vfs.h>
+#include <iprt/vfslowlevel.h>
+
+#include <iprt/asm.h>
+#include <iprt/critsect.h>
+#include <iprt/ctype.h>
+#include <iprt/err.h>
+#include <iprt/file.h>
+#include <iprt/mem.h>
+#include <iprt/once.h>
+#include <iprt/param.h>
+#include <iprt/path.h>
+#include <iprt/semaphore.h>
+#include <iprt/string.h>
+
+#include "internal/file.h"
+#include "internal/magics.h"
+//#include "internal/vfs.h"
+
+
+/*********************************************************************************************************************************
+*   Internal Functions                                                                                                           *
+*********************************************************************************************************************************/
+static PCRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG rtVfsChainFindProviderLocked(const char *pszProvider);
+
+
+/*********************************************************************************************************************************
+*   Global Variables                                                                                                             *
+*********************************************************************************************************************************/
+/** Init the critical section once. */
+static RTONCE       g_rtVfsChainElementInitOnce = RTONCE_INITIALIZER;
+/** Critical section protecting g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList. */
+static RTCRITSECTRW g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect;
+/** List of VFS chain element providers (RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG). */
+static RTLISTANCHOR g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList;
+
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainValidateOpenFileOrIoStream(PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec, PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement,
+                                                 uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    if (pElement->cArgs < 1)
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_AT_LEAST_ONE_ARG;
+    if (pElement->cArgs > 4)
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_AT_MOST_FOUR_ARGS;
+    if (!*pElement->paArgs[0].psz)
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_EMPTY_ARG;
+
+    /*
+     * Calculate the flags, storing them in the first argument.
+     */
+    const char *pszAccess = pElement->cArgs >= 2 ? pElement->paArgs[1].psz : "";
+    if (!*pszAccess)
+        pszAccess = (pSpec->fOpenFile & RTFILE_O_ACCESS_MASK) == RTFILE_O_READWRITE ? "rw"
+                  : (pSpec->fOpenFile & RTFILE_O_ACCESS_MASK) == RTFILE_O_READ      ? "r"
+                  : (pSpec->fOpenFile & RTFILE_O_ACCESS_MASK) == RTFILE_O_WRITE     ? "w"
+                  :                                                                   "rw";
+
+    const char *pszDisp = pElement->cArgs >= 3 ? pElement->paArgs[2].psz : "";
+    if (!*pszDisp)
+        pszDisp = strchr(pszAccess, 'w') != NULL ? "open-create" : "open";
+
+    const char *pszSharing = pElement->cArgs >= 4 ? pElement->paArgs[3].psz : "";
+
+    int rc = RTFileModeToFlagsEx(pszAccess, pszDisp, pszSharing, &pElement->uProvider);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        return VINF_SUCCESS;
+
+    /*
+     * Now try figure out which argument offended us.
+     */
+    AssertReturn(pElement->cArgs > 1, VERR_VFS_CHAIN_IPE);
+    if (   pElement->cArgs == 2
+        || RT_FAILURE(RTFileModeToFlagsEx(pszAccess, "open-create", "", &pElement->uProvider)))
+    {
+        *poffError = pElement->paArgs[1].offSpec;
+        rc = RTErrInfoSet(pErrInfo, VERR_VFS_CHAIN_INVALID_ARGUMENT, "Expected valid access flags: 'r', 'rw', or 'w'");
+    }
+    else if (   pElement->cArgs == 3
+             || RT_FAILURE(RTFileModeToFlagsEx(pszAccess, pszDisp, "", &pElement->uProvider)))
+    {
+        *poffError = pElement->paArgs[2].offSpec;
+        rc = RTErrInfoSet(pErrInfo, VERR_VFS_CHAIN_INVALID_ARGUMENT,
+                          "Expected valid open disposition: create, create-replace, open, open-create, open-append, open-truncate");
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        *poffError = pElement->paArgs[3].offSpec;
+        rc = RTErrInfoSet(pErrInfo, VERR_VFS_CHAIN_INVALID_ARGUMENT, "Expected valid sharing flags: nr, nw, nrw, d");
+
+    }
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * @interface_method_impl{RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG,pfnValidate}
+ */
+static DECLCALLBACK(int) rtVfsChainOpen_Validate(PCRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pProviderReg, PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec,
+                                                 PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    RT_NOREF(pProviderReg);
+
+    /*
+     * Basic checks.
+     */
+    if (   pElement->enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR
+        && pElement->enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE
+        && pElement->enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM)
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_ONLY_FILE_OR_IOS_OR_DIR;
+    if (   pElement->enmTypeIn != RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR
+        && pElement->enmTypeIn != RTVFSOBJTYPE_FS_STREAM
+        && pElement->enmTypeIn != RTVFSOBJTYPE_VFS)
+    {
+        if (pElement->enmTypeIn == RTVFSOBJTYPE_INVALID)
+        {
+            /*
+             * First element: Transform into 'stdfile' or 'stddir' if registered.
+             */
+            const char            *pszNewProvider = pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR ? "stddir" : "stdfile";
+            PCRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pNewProvider   = rtVfsChainFindProviderLocked(pszNewProvider);
+            if (pNewProvider)
+            {
+                pElement->pProvider = pNewProvider;
+                return pNewProvider->pfnValidate(pNewProvider, pSpec, pElement, poffError, pErrInfo);
+            }
+            return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CANNOT_BE_FIRST_ELEMENT;
+        }
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TAKES_DIR_OR_FSS_OR_VFS;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Make common cause with 'stdfile' if we're opening a file or I/O stream.
+     * If the input is a FSS, we have to make sure it's a read-only operation.
+     */
+    if (   pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE
+        || pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM)
+    {
+        int rc = RTVfsChainValidateOpenFileOrIoStream(pSpec, pElement, poffError, pErrInfo);
+        if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        {
+            if (pElement->enmTypeIn != RTVFSOBJTYPE_FS_STREAM)
+                return VINF_SUCCESS;
+            if (   !(pElement->uProvider & RTFILE_O_WRITE)
+                &&  (pElement->uProvider & RTFILE_O_ACTION_MASK) ==  RTFILE_O_OPEN)
+                return VINF_SUCCESS;
+            *poffError = pElement->cArgs > 1 ? pElement->paArgs[1].offSpec : pElement->offSpec;
+            return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_INVALID_ARGUMENT;
+        }
+        return rc;
+    }
+
+
+    /*
+     * Directory checks.  Path argument only, optional. If not given the root directory of a VFS or the
+     */
+    if (pElement->cArgs > 1)
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_AT_MOST_ONE_ARG;
+    pElement->uProvider = 0;
+    return VINF_SUCCESS;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * @interface_method_impl{RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG,pfnInstantiate}
+ */
+static DECLCALLBACK(int) rtVfsChainOpen_Instantiate(PCRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pProviderReg, PCRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec,
+                                                    PCRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement, RTVFSOBJ hPrevVfsObj,
+                                                    PRTVFSOBJ phVfsObj, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    RT_NOREF(pProviderReg, pSpec, pElement, poffError, pErrInfo);
+    AssertReturn(hPrevVfsObj != NIL_RTVFSOBJ, VERR_VFS_CHAIN_IPE);
+
+    /*
+     * File system stream: Seek thru the stream looking for the object to open.
+     */
+    RTVFSFSSTREAM hVfsFssIn = RTVfsObjToFsStream(hPrevVfsObj);
+    if (hVfsFssIn != NIL_RTVFSFSSTREAM)
+    {
+        return VERR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * VFS: Use RTVfsFileOpen or RTVfsDirOpen.
+     */
+    RTVFS hVfsIn = RTVfsObjToVfs(hPrevVfsObj);
+    if (hVfsIn != NIL_RTVFS)
+    {
+        if (   pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE
+            || pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM)
+        {
+            RTVFSFILE hVfsFile = NIL_RTVFSFILE;
+            int rc = RTVfsFileOpen(hVfsIn, pElement->paArgs[0].psz, pElement->uProvider, &hVfsFile);
+            RTVfsRelease(hVfsIn);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                *phVfsObj = RTVfsObjFromFile(hVfsFile);
+                RTVfsFileRelease(hVfsFile);
+                if (*phVfsObj != NIL_RTVFSOBJ)
+                    return VINF_SUCCESS;
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+            }
+            return rc;
+        }
+        if (pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR)
+        {
+            RTVFSDIR hVfsDir = NIL_RTVFSDIR;
+            int rc = RTVfsDirOpen(hVfsIn, pElement->paArgs[0].psz, (uint32_t)pElement->uProvider, &hVfsDir);
+            RTVfsRelease(hVfsIn);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                *phVfsObj = RTVfsObjFromDir(hVfsDir);
+                RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                if (*phVfsObj != NIL_RTVFSOBJ)
+                    return VINF_SUCCESS;
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+            }
+            return rc;
+        }
+        RTVfsRelease(hVfsIn);
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_IPE;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Directory: Similar to above, just relative to a directory.
+     */
+    RTVFSDIR hVfsDirIn = RTVfsObjToDir(hPrevVfsObj);
+    if (hVfsDirIn != NIL_RTVFSDIR)
+    {
+        if (   pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE
+            || pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM)
+        {
+            RTVFSFILE hVfsFile = NIL_RTVFSFILE;
+            int rc = RTVfsDirOpenFile(hVfsDirIn, pElement->paArgs[0].psz, pElement->uProvider, &hVfsFile);
+            RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDirIn);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                *phVfsObj = RTVfsObjFromFile(hVfsFile);
+                RTVfsFileRelease(hVfsFile);
+                if (*phVfsObj != NIL_RTVFSOBJ)
+                    return VINF_SUCCESS;
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+            }
+            return rc;
+        }
+        if (pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR)
+        {
+            RTVFSDIR hVfsDir = NIL_RTVFSDIR;
+            int rc = RTVfsDirOpenDir(hVfsDirIn, pElement->paArgs[0].psz, pElement->uProvider, &hVfsDir);
+            RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDirIn);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                *phVfsObj = RTVfsObjFromDir(hVfsDir);
+                RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                if (*phVfsObj != NIL_RTVFSOBJ)
+                    return VINF_SUCCESS;
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+            }
+            return rc;
+        }
+        RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDirIn);
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_IPE;
+    }
+
+    AssertFailed();
+    return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * @interface_method_impl{RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG,pfnCanReuseElement}
+ */
+static DECLCALLBACK(bool) rtVfsChainOpen_CanReuseElement(PCRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pProviderReg,
+                                                         PCRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec, PCRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement,
+                                                         PCRTVFSCHAINSPEC pReuseSpec, PCRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pReuseElement)
+{
+    RT_NOREF(pProviderReg, pSpec, pElement, pReuseSpec, pReuseElement);
+    return false;
+}
+
+
+/** VFS chain element 'gunzip'. */
+static RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG g_rtVfsChainGunzipReg =
+{
+    /* uVersion = */            RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG_VERSION,
+    /* fReserved = */           0,
+    /* pszName = */             "open",
+    /* ListEntry = */           { NULL, NULL },
+    /* pszHelp = */             "Generic VFS open, that can open files (or I/O stream) and directories in a VFS, directory or file system stream.\n"
+                                "If used as the first element in a chain, it will work like 'stdfile' or 'stddir' and work on the real file system.\n"
+                                "First argument is the filename or directory path.\n"
+                                "Second argument is access mode, files only, optional: r, w, rw.\n"
+                                "Third argument is open disposition, files only, optional: create, create-replace, open, open-create, open-append, open-truncate.\n"
+                                "Forth argument is file sharing, files only, optional: nr, nw, nrw, d.",
+    /* pfnValidate = */         rtVfsChainOpen_Validate,
+    /* pfnInstantiate = */      rtVfsChainOpen_Instantiate,
+    /* pfnCanReuseElement = */  rtVfsChainOpen_CanReuseElement,
+    /* uEndMarker = */          RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG_VERSION
+};
+
+RTVFSCHAIN_AUTO_REGISTER_ELEMENT_PROVIDER(&g_rtVfsChainGunzipReg, rtVfsChainGunzipReg);
+
+
+
+
+/**
+ * Initializes the globals via RTOnce.
+ *
+ * @returns IPRT status code
+ * @param   pvUser              Unused, ignored.
+ */
+static DECLCALLBACK(int) rtVfsChainElementRegisterInit(void *pvUser)
+{
+    NOREF(pvUser);
+    if (!g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList.pNext)
+        RTListInit(&g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList);
+    int rc = RTCritSectRwInit(&g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+    }
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainElementRegisterProvider(PRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pRegRec, bool fFromCtor)
+{
+    int rc;
+
+    /*
+     * Input validation.
+     */
+    AssertPtrReturn(pRegRec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertMsgReturn(pRegRec->uVersion   == RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG_VERSION, ("%#x", pRegRec->uVersion),    VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertMsgReturn(pRegRec->uEndMarker == RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG_VERSION, ("%#zx", pRegRec->uEndMarker), VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(pRegRec->fReserved == 0, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(pRegRec->pszName,               VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(pRegRec->pfnValidate,           VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(pRegRec->pfnInstantiate,        VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(pRegRec->pfnCanReuseElement,    VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Init and take the lock.
+     */
+    if (!fFromCtor)
+    {
+        rc = RTOnce(&g_rtVfsChainElementInitOnce, rtVfsChainElementRegisterInit, NULL);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+        rc = RTCritSectRwEnterExcl(&g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+    }
+    else if (!g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList.pNext)
+        RTListInit(&g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList);
+
+    /*
+     * Duplicate name?
+     */
+    rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+    PRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pIterator, pIterNext;
+    RTListForEachSafe(&g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList, pIterator, pIterNext, RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG, ListEntry)
+    {
+        if (!strcmp(pIterator->pszName, pRegRec->pszName))
+        {
+            AssertMsgFailed(("duplicate name '%s' old=%p new=%p\n",  pIterator->pszName, pIterator, pRegRec));
+            rc = VERR_ALREADY_EXISTS;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * If not, append the record to the list.
+     */
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        RTListAppend(&g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList, &pRegRec->ListEntry);
+
+    /*
+     * Leave the lock and return.
+     */
+    if (!fFromCtor)
+        RTCritSectRwLeaveExcl(&g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect);
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Allocates and initializes an empty spec
+ *
+ * @returns Pointer to the spec on success, NULL on failure.
+ */
+static PRTVFSCHAINSPEC rtVfsChainSpecAlloc(void)
+{
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = (PRTVFSCHAINSPEC)RTMemTmpAlloc(sizeof(*pSpec));
+    if (pSpec)
+    {
+        pSpec->fOpenFile      = 0;
+        pSpec->fOpenDir       = 0;
+        pSpec->cElements      = 0;
+        pSpec->paElements     = NULL;
+    }
+    return pSpec;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Checks if @a ch is a character that can be escaped.
+ *
+ * @returns true / false.
+ * @param   ch          The character to consider.
+ */
+DECLINLINE(bool) rtVfsChainSpecIsEscapableChar(char ch)
+{
+    return ch == '('
+        || ch == ')'
+        || ch == '{'
+        || ch == '}'
+        || ch == '\\'
+        || ch == ','
+        || ch == '|'
+        || ch == ':';
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Duplicate a spec string after unescaping it.
+ *
+ * This differs from RTStrDupN in that it uses RTMemTmpAlloc instead of
+ * RTMemAlloc.
+ *
+ * @returns String copy on success, NULL on failure.
+ * @param   psz         The string to duplicate.
+ * @param   cch         The number of bytes to duplicate.
+ * @param   prc         The status code variable to set on failure. (Leeps the
+ *                      code shorter. -lazy bird)
+ */
+DECLINLINE(char *) rtVfsChainSpecDupStrN(const char *psz, size_t cch, int *prc)
+{
+    char *pszCopy = (char *)RTMemTmpAlloc(cch + 1);
+    if (pszCopy)
+    {
+        if (!memchr(psz, '\\', cch))
+        {
+            /* Plain string, copy it raw. */
+            memcpy(pszCopy, psz, cch);
+            pszCopy[cch] = '\0';
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            /* Has escape sequences, must unescape it. */
+            char *pszDst = pszCopy;
+            while (cch-- > 0)
+            {
+                char ch = *psz++;
+                if (ch == '\\' && cch > 0)
+                {
+                    char ch2 = *psz;
+                    if (rtVfsChainSpecIsEscapableChar(ch2))
+                    {
+                        psz++;
+                        cch--;
+                        ch = ch2;
+                    }
+                }
+                *pszDst++ = ch;
+            }
+            *pszDst = '\0';
+        }
+    }
+    else
+        *prc = VERR_NO_TMP_MEMORY;
+    return pszCopy;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Adds an empty element to the chain specification.
+ *
+ * The caller is responsible for filling it the element attributes.
+ *
+ * @returns Pointer to the new element on success, NULL on failure.  The
+ *          pointer is only valid till the next call to this function.
+ * @param   pSpec       The chain specification.
+ * @param   prc         The status code variable to set on failure. (Leeps the
+ *                      code shorter. -lazy bird)
+ */
+static PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC rtVfsChainSpecAddElement(PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec, uint16_t offSpec, int *prc)
+{
+    AssertPtr(pSpec);
+
+    /*
+     * Resize the element table if necessary.
+     */
+    uint32_t const iElement = pSpec->cElements;
+    if ((iElement % 32) == 0)
+    {
+        PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC paNew = (PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC)RTMemTmpAlloc((iElement + 32) * sizeof(paNew[0]));
+        if (!paNew)
+        {
+            *prc = VERR_NO_TMP_MEMORY;
+            return NULL;
+        }
+
+        memcpy(paNew, pSpec->paElements, iElement * sizeof(paNew[0]));
+        RTMemTmpFree(pSpec->paElements);
+        pSpec->paElements = paNew;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Initialize and add the new element.
+     */
+    PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement = &pSpec->paElements[iElement];
+    pElement->pszProvider = NULL;
+    pElement->enmTypeIn   = iElement ? pSpec->paElements[iElement - 1].enmType : RTVFSOBJTYPE_INVALID;
+    pElement->enmType     = RTVFSOBJTYPE_INVALID;
+    pElement->offSpec     = offSpec;
+    pElement->cchSpec     = 0;
+    pElement->cArgs       = 0;
+    pElement->paArgs      = NULL;
+    pElement->pProvider   = NULL;
+    pElement->hVfsObj     = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+
+    pSpec->cElements = iElement + 1;
+    return pElement;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Adds an argument to the element spec.
+ *
+ * @returns IPRT status code.
+ * @param   pElement            The element.
+ * @param   psz                 The start of the argument string.
+ * @param   cch                 The length of the argument string, escape
+ *                              sequences counted twice.
+ */
+static int rtVfsChainSpecElementAddArg(PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement, const char *psz, size_t cch, uint16_t offSpec)
+{
+    uint32_t iArg = pElement->cArgs;
+    if ((iArg % 32) == 0)
+    {
+        PRTVFSCHAINELEMENTARG paNew = (PRTVFSCHAINELEMENTARG)RTMemTmpAlloc((iArg + 32) * sizeof(paNew[0]));
+        if (!paNew)
+            return VERR_NO_TMP_MEMORY;
+        memcpy(paNew, pElement->paArgs, iArg * sizeof(paNew[0]));
+        RTMemTmpFree(pElement->paArgs);
+        pElement->paArgs = paNew;
+    }
+
+    int rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+    pElement->paArgs[iArg].psz     = rtVfsChainSpecDupStrN(psz, cch, &rc);
+    pElement->paArgs[iArg].offSpec = offSpec;
+    pElement->cArgs = iArg + 1;
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(void)    RTVfsChainSpecFree(PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec)
+{
+    if (!pSpec)
+        return;
+
+    uint32_t i = pSpec->cElements;
+    while (i-- > 0)
+    {
+        uint32_t iArg = pSpec->paElements[i].cArgs;
+        while (iArg-- > 0)
+            RTMemTmpFree(pSpec->paElements[i].paArgs[iArg].psz);
+        RTMemTmpFree(pSpec->paElements[i].paArgs);
+        RTMemTmpFree(pSpec->paElements[i].pszProvider);
+        if (pSpec->paElements[i].hVfsObj != NIL_RTVFSOBJ)
+        {
+            RTVfsObjRelease(pSpec->paElements[i].hVfsObj);
+            pSpec->paElements[i].hVfsObj = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+        }
+    }
+
+    RTMemTmpFree(pSpec->paElements);
+    pSpec->paElements = NULL;
+    RTMemTmpFree(pSpec);
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Checks if @a psz is pointing to the final element specification.
+ *
+ * @returns true / false.
+ * @param   psz         Start of an element or path.
+ * @param   pcch        Where to return the length.
+ */
+static bool rtVfsChainSpecIsFinalElement(const char *psz, size_t *pcch)
+{
+    size_t off = 0;
+    char   ch;
+    while ((ch = psz[off]) != '\0')
+    {
+        if (ch == '|' || ch == ':')
+            return false;
+        if (   ch == '\\'
+            && rtVfsChainSpecIsEscapableChar(psz[off + 1]))
+            off++;
+        off++;
+    }
+    *pcch = off;
+    return off > 0;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Makes the final path element.
+ * @returns IPRT status code
+ * @param   pElement    The element.
+ * @param   pszPath     The path.
+ * @param   cchPath     The path length.
+ */
+static int rtVfsChainSpecMakeFinalPathElement(PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement, const char *pszPath, size_t cchPath)
+{
+    pElement->pszProvider = NULL;
+    pElement->enmType     = RTVFSOBJTYPE_END;
+    pElement->cchSpec     = (uint16_t)cchPath;
+    return rtVfsChainSpecElementAddArg(pElement, pszPath, cchPath, pElement->offSpec);
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Finds the end of the argument string.
+ *
+ * @returns The offset of the end character relative to @a psz.
+ * @param   psz             The argument string.
+ * @param   chCloseParen    The closing parenthesis.
+ */
+static size_t rtVfsChainSpecFindArgEnd(const char *psz, char const chCloseParen)
+{
+    size_t off = 0;
+    char   ch;
+    while (  (ch = psz[off]) != '\0'
+           && ch != ','
+           && ch != chCloseParen)
+    {
+        if (   ch == '\\'
+            && rtVfsChainSpecIsEscapableChar(psz[off+1]))
+            off++;
+        off++;
+    }
+    return off;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainSpecParse(const char *pszSpec, uint32_t fFlags, RTVFSOBJTYPE enmDesiredType,
+                                PRTVFSCHAINSPEC *ppSpec, uint32_t *poffError)
+{
+    if (poffError)
+    {
+        AssertPtrReturn(poffError, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+        *poffError = 0;
+    }
+    AssertPtrReturn(ppSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    *ppSpec = NULL;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pszSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(!(fFlags & ~RTVFSCHAIN_PF_VALID_MASK), VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertReturn(enmDesiredType > RTVFSOBJTYPE_INVALID && enmDesiredType < RTVFSOBJTYPE_END, VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+
+    /*
+     * Check the start of the specification and allocate an empty return spec.
+     */
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1))
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_NO_PREFIX;
+    const char *pszSrc = RTStrStripL(pszSpec + sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1);
+    if (!*pszSrc)
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_EMPTY;
+
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = rtVfsChainSpecAlloc();
+    if (!pSpec)
+        return VERR_NO_TMP_MEMORY;
+    pSpec->enmDesiredType = enmDesiredType;
+
+    /*
+     * Parse the spec one element at a time.
+     */
+    int rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+    while (*pszSrc && RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+        /*
+         * Digest element separator, except for the first element.
+         */
+        if (*pszSrc == '|' || *pszSrc == ':')
+        {
+            if (pSpec->cElements != 0)
+                pszSrc = RTStrStripL(pszSrc + 1);
+            else
+            {
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_LEADING_SEPARATOR;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        else if (pSpec->cElements != 0)
+        {
+            rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_EXPECTED_SEPARATOR;
+            break;
+        }
+
+        /*
+         * Ok, there should be an element here so add one to the return struct.
+         */
+        PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement = rtVfsChainSpecAddElement(pSpec, (uint16_t)(pszSrc - pszSpec), &rc);
+        if (!pElement)
+            break;
+
+        /*
+         * First up is the VFS object type followed by a parenthesis/curly, or
+         * this could be the trailing action.  Alternatively, we could have a
+         * final path-only element here.
+         */
+        size_t cch;
+        if (strncmp(pszSrc, "base", cch = 4) == 0)
+            pElement->enmType = RTVFSOBJTYPE_BASE;
+        else if (strncmp(pszSrc, "vfs",  cch = 3) == 0)
+            pElement->enmType = RTVFSOBJTYPE_VFS;
+        else if (strncmp(pszSrc, "fss",  cch = 3) == 0)
+            pElement->enmType = RTVFSOBJTYPE_FS_STREAM;
+        else if (strncmp(pszSrc, "ios",  cch = 3) == 0)
+            pElement->enmType = RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM;
+        else if (strncmp(pszSrc, "dir",  cch = 3) == 0)
+            pElement->enmType = RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR;
+        else if (strncmp(pszSrc, "file", cch = 4) == 0)
+            pElement->enmType = RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE;
+        else if (strncmp(pszSrc, "sym",  cch = 3) == 0)
+            pElement->enmType = RTVFSOBJTYPE_SYMLINK;
+        else
+        {
+            if (rtVfsChainSpecIsFinalElement(pszSrc, &cch))
+                rc = rtVfsChainSpecMakeFinalPathElement(pElement, pszSrc, cch);
+            else if (*pszSrc == '\0')
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TRAILING_SEPARATOR;
+            else
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_UNKNOWN_TYPE;
+            break;
+        }
+
+        /* Check and skip past the parenthesis/curly.  If not there, we might
+           have a final path element at our hands. */
+        char const chOpenParen = pszSrc[cch];
+        if (chOpenParen != '(' && chOpenParen != '{')
+        {
+            if (rtVfsChainSpecIsFinalElement(pszSrc, &cch))
+                rc = rtVfsChainSpecMakeFinalPathElement(pElement, pszSrc, cch);
+            else
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_EXPECTED_LEFT_PARENTHESES;
+            break;
+        }
+        char const chCloseParen = (chOpenParen == '(' ? ')' : '}');
+        pszSrc = RTStrStripL(pszSrc + cch + 1);
+
+        /*
+         * The name of the element provider.
+         */
+        cch = rtVfsChainSpecFindArgEnd(pszSrc, chCloseParen);
+        if (!cch)
+        {
+            rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_EXPECTED_PROVIDER_NAME;
+            break;
+        }
+        pElement->pszProvider = rtVfsChainSpecDupStrN(pszSrc, cch, &rc);
+        if (!pElement->pszProvider)
+            break;
+        pszSrc += cch;
+
+        /*
+         * The arguments.
+         */
+        while (*pszSrc == ',')
+        {
+            pszSrc = RTStrStripL(pszSrc + 1);
+            cch = rtVfsChainSpecFindArgEnd(pszSrc, chCloseParen);
+            rc = rtVfsChainSpecElementAddArg(pElement, pszSrc, cch, (uint16_t)(pszSrc - pszSpec));
+            if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+                break;
+            pszSrc += cch;
+        }
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            break;
+
+        /* Must end with a right parentheses/curly. */
+        if (*pszSrc != chCloseParen)
+        {
+            rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_EXPECTED_RIGHT_PARENTHESES;
+            break;
+        }
+        pElement->cchSpec = (uint16_t)(pszSrc - pszSpec) - pElement->offSpec + 1;
+
+        pszSrc = RTStrStripL(pszSrc + 1);
+    }
+
+#if 0
+    /*
+     * Dump the chain.  Useful for debugging the above code.
+     */
+    RTAssertMsg2("dbg: cElements=%d rc=%Rrc\n", pSpec->cElements, rc);
+    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < pSpec->cElements; i++)
+    {
+        uint32_t const cArgs = pSpec->paElements[i].cArgs;
+        RTAssertMsg2("dbg: #%u: enmTypeIn=%d enmType=%d cArgs=%d",
+                     i, pSpec->paElements[i].enmTypeIn, pSpec->paElements[i].enmType, cArgs);
+        for (uint32_t j = 0; j < cArgs; j++)
+            RTAssertMsg2(j == 0 ? (cArgs > 1 ? " [%s" : " [%s]") : j + 1 < cArgs ? ", %s" : ", %s]",
+                         pSpec->paElements[i].paArgs[j].psz);
+        RTAssertMsg2(" offSpec=%d cchSpec=%d", pSpec->paElements[i].offSpec, pSpec->paElements[i].cchSpec);
+        RTAssertMsg2(" spec: %.*s\n", pSpec->paElements[i].cchSpec, &pszSpec[pSpec->paElements[i].offSpec]);
+    }
+#endif
+
+    /*
+     * Return the chain on success; Cleanup and set the error indicator on
+     * failure.
+     */
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        *ppSpec = pSpec;
+    else
+    {
+        if (poffError)
+            *poffError = (uint32_t)(pszSrc - pszSpec);
+        RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    }
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Looks up @a pszProvider among the registered providers.
+ *
+ * @returns Pointer to registration record if found, NULL if not.
+ * @param   pszProvider         The provider.
+ */
+static PCRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG rtVfsChainFindProviderLocked(const char *pszProvider)
+{
+    PCRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pIterator;
+    RTListForEach(&g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList, pIterator, RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG, ListEntry)
+    {
+        if (strcmp(pIterator->pszName, pszProvider) == 0)
+            return pIterator;
+    }
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Does reusable object type matching.
+ *
+ * @returns true if the types matches, false if not.
+ * @param   pElement        The target element specification.
+ * @param   pReuseElement   The source element specification.
+ */
+static bool rtVfsChainMatchReusableType(PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pElement, PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pReuseElement)
+{
+    if (pElement->enmType == pReuseElement->enmType)
+        return true;
+
+    /* File objects can always be cast to I/O streams.  */
+    if (   pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM
+        && pReuseElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE)
+        return true;
+
+    /* I/O stream objects may be file objects. */
+    if (   pElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE
+        && pReuseElement->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM)
+    {
+        RTVFSFILE hVfsFile = RTVfsObjToFile(pReuseElement->hVfsObj);
+        if (hVfsFile != NIL_RTVFSFILE)
+        {
+            RTVfsFileRelease(hVfsFile);
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainSpecCheckAndSetup(PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec, PCRTVFSCHAINSPEC pReuseSpec,
+                                        PRTVFSOBJ phVfsObj, const char **ppszFinalPath, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    AssertPtrReturn(poffError, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    *poffError = 0;
+    AssertPtrReturn(phVfsObj, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    *phVfsObj = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+    AssertPtrReturn(ppszFinalPath, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    *ppszFinalPath = NULL;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrNullReturn(pErrInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Check for final path-only component as we will not touch it yet.
+     */
+    uint32_t cElements = pSpec->cElements;
+    if (cElements > 0)
+    {
+        if (pSpec->paElements[pSpec->cElements - 1].enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_END)
+        {
+            if (cElements > 1)
+                cElements--;
+            else
+            {
+                *ppszFinalPath = pSpec->paElements[0].paArgs[0].psz;
+                return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_PATH_ONLY;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    else
+        return VERR_VFS_CHAIN_EMPTY;
+
+    /*
+     * Enter the critical section after making sure it has been initialized.
+     */
+    int rc = RTOnce(&g_rtVfsChainElementInitOnce, rtVfsChainElementRegisterInit, NULL);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        rc = RTCritSectRwEnterShared(&g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+        /*
+         * Resolve and check each element first.
+         */
+        for (uint32_t i = 0; i < cElements; i++)
+        {
+            PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC const pElement = &pSpec->paElements[i];
+            *poffError = pElement->offSpec;
+            pElement->pProvider = rtVfsChainFindProviderLocked(pElement->pszProvider);
+            if (pElement->pProvider)
+            {
+                rc = pElement->pProvider->pfnValidate(pElement->pProvider, pSpec, pElement, poffError, pErrInfo);
+                if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+                    continue;
+            }
+            else
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_PROVIDER_NOT_FOUND;
+            break;
+        }
+
+        /*
+         * Check that the desired type is compatible with the last element.
+         */
+        if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        {
+            PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC const pLast = &pSpec->paElements[cElements - 1];
+            if (cElements == pSpec->cElements)
+            {
+                if (   pLast->enmType == pSpec->enmDesiredType
+                    || pSpec->enmDesiredType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_BASE
+                    || (   pLast->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE
+                        && pSpec->enmDesiredType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM) )
+                    rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+                else
+                {
+                    *poffError = pLast->offSpec;
+                    rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_FINAL_TYPE_MISMATCH;
+                }
+            }
+            /* Ends with a path-only element, so check the type of the element preceding it. */
+            else if (   pLast->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR
+                     || pLast->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_VFS
+                     || pLast->enmType == RTVFSOBJTYPE_FS_STREAM)
+                rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+            else
+            {
+                *poffError = pLast->offSpec;
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TYPE_MISMATCH_PATH_ONLY;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        {
+            /*
+             * Try construct the chain.
+             */
+            RTVFSOBJ hPrevVfsObj = NIL_RTVFSOBJ; /* No extra reference, kept in chain structure. */
+            for (uint32_t i = 0; i < cElements; i++)
+            {
+                PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC const pElement = &pSpec->paElements[i];
+                *poffError = pElement->offSpec;
+
+                /*
+                 * Try reuse the VFS objects at the start of the passed in reuse chain.
+                 */
+                if (!pReuseSpec)
+                { /* likely */ }
+                else
+                {
+                    if (i < pReuseSpec->cElements)
+                    {
+                        PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC const pReuseElement = &pReuseSpec->paElements[i];
+                        if (pReuseElement->hVfsObj != NIL_RTVFSOBJ)
+                        {
+                            if (strcmp(pElement->pszProvider, pReuseElement->pszProvider) == 0)
+                            {
+                                if (rtVfsChainMatchReusableType(pElement, pReuseElement))
+                                {
+                                    if (pElement->pProvider->pfnCanReuseElement(pElement->pProvider, pSpec, pElement,
+                                                                                pReuseSpec, pReuseElement))
+                                    {
+                                        uint32_t cRefs = RTVfsObjRetain(pReuseElement->hVfsObj);
+                                        if (cRefs != UINT32_MAX)
+                                        {
+                                            pElement->hVfsObj = hPrevVfsObj = pReuseElement->hVfsObj;
+                                            continue;
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    pReuseSpec = NULL;
+                }
+
+                /*
+                 * Instantiate a new VFS object.
+                 */
+                RTVFSOBJ hVfsObj = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+                rc = pElement->pProvider->pfnInstantiate(pElement->pProvider, pSpec, pElement, hPrevVfsObj,
+                                                         &hVfsObj, poffError, pErrInfo);
+                if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+                    break;
+                pElement->hVfsObj = hVfsObj;
+                hPrevVfsObj = hVfsObj;
+            }
+
+            /*
+             * Add another reference to the final object and return.
+             */
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                uint32_t cRefs = RTVfsObjRetain(hPrevVfsObj);
+                AssertStmt(cRefs != UINT32_MAX, rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_IPE);
+                *phVfsObj      = hPrevVfsObj;
+                *ppszFinalPath = cElements == pSpec->cElements ? NULL : pSpec->paElements[cElements].paArgs[0].psz;
+            }
+        }
+
+        int rc2 = RTCritSectRwLeaveShared(&g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc2) && RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            rc = rc2;
+    }
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainElementDeregisterProvider(PRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pRegRec, bool fFromDtor)
+{
+    /*
+     * Fend off wildlife.
+     */
+    if (pRegRec == NULL)
+        return VINF_SUCCESS;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pRegRec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertMsgReturn(pRegRec->uVersion   == RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG_VERSION, ("%#x", pRegRec->uVersion),    VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertMsgReturn(pRegRec->uEndMarker == RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG_VERSION, ("%#zx", pRegRec->uEndMarker), VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(pRegRec->pszName, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Take the lock if that's safe.
+     */
+    if (!fFromDtor)
+        RTCritSectRwEnterExcl(&g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect);
+    else if (!g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList.pNext)
+        RTListInit(&g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList);
+
+    /*
+     * Ok, remove it.
+     */
+    int rc = VERR_NOT_FOUND;
+    PRTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG pIterator, pIterNext;
+    RTListForEachSafe(&g_rtVfsChainElementProviderList, pIterator, pIterNext, RTVFSCHAINELEMENTREG, ListEntry)
+    {
+        if (pIterator == pRegRec)
+        {
+            RTListNodeRemove(&pRegRec->ListEntry);
+            rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Leave the lock and return.
+     */
+    if (!fFromDtor)
+        RTCritSectRwLeaveExcl(&g_rtVfsChainElementCritSect);
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainOpenObj(const char *pszSpec, uint64_t fFileOpen, uint32_t fObjFlags,
+                              PRTVFSOBJ phVfsObj, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    /*
+     * Validate input.
+     */
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pszSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(*pszSpec != '\0', VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(phVfsObj, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrNullReturn(pErrInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    int rc = rtFileRecalcAndValidateFlags(&fFileOpen);
+    if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+        return rc;
+    AssertMsgReturn(   RTPATH_F_IS_VALID(fObjFlags, RTVFSOBJ_F_VALID_MASK)
+                    && (fObjFlags & RTVFSOBJ_F_CREATE_MASK) <= RTVFSOBJ_F_CREATE_DIRECTORY,
+                    ("fObjFlags=%#x\n", fObjFlags),
+                    VERR_INVALID_FLAGS);
+
+    /*
+     * Try for a VFS chain first, falling back on regular file system stuff if it's just a path.
+     */
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) == 0)
+    {
+        rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR, &pSpec, poffError);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+
+        Assert(pSpec->cElements > 0);
+        if (   pSpec->cElements > 1
+            || pSpec->paElements[0].enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_END)
+        {
+            const char *pszFinal = NULL;
+            RTVFSOBJ    hVfsObj  = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+            pSpec->fOpenFile = fFileOpen;
+            rc = RTVfsChainSpecCheckAndSetup(pSpec, NULL /*pReuseSpec*/, &hVfsObj, &pszFinal, poffError, pErrInfo);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                if (!pszFinal)
+                {
+                    *phVfsObj = hVfsObj;
+                    rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    /*
+                     * Do a file open with the final path on the returned object.
+                     */
+                    RTVFS           hVfs    = RTVfsObjToVfs(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSDIR        hVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSFSSTREAM   hVfsFss = RTVfsObjToFsStream(hVfsObj);
+                    if (hVfs != NIL_RTVFS)
+                        rc = RTVfsObjOpen(hVfs, pszFinal, fFileOpen, fObjFlags, phVfsObj);
+                    else if (hVfsDir != NIL_RTVFSDIR)
+                        rc = RTVfsDirOpenObj(hVfsDir, pszFinal, fFileOpen, fObjFlags, phVfsObj);
+                    else if (hVfsFss != NIL_RTVFSFSSTREAM)
+                        rc = VERR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TYPE_MISMATCH_PATH_ONLY;
+                    RTVfsRelease(hVfs);
+                    RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                    RTVfsFsStrmRelease(hVfsFss);
+                    RTVfsObjRelease(hVfsObj);
+                }
+            }
+
+            RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+            return rc;
+        }
+
+        /* Only a path element. */
+        pszSpec = pSpec->paElements[0].paArgs[0].psz;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Path to regular file system.
+     * Go via the directory VFS wrapper to avoid duplicating code.
+     */
+    RTVFSDIR hVfsParentDir = NIL_RTVFSDIR;
+    const char *pszFilename;
+    if (RTPathHasPath(pszSpec))
+    {
+        char *pszCopy = RTStrDup(pszSpec);
+        if (pszCopy)
+        {
+            RTPathStripFilename(pszCopy);
+            rc = RTVfsDirOpenNormal(pszCopy, 0 /*fOpen*/, &hVfsParentDir);
+            RTStrFree(pszCopy);
+        }
+        else
+            rc = VERR_NO_STR_MEMORY;
+        pszFilename = RTPathFilename(pszSpec);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        pszFilename = pszSpec;
+        rc = RTVfsDirOpenNormal(".", 0 /*fOpen*/, &hVfsParentDir);
+    }
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+        rc = RTVfsDirOpenObj(hVfsParentDir, pszFilename, fFileOpen, fObjFlags, phVfsObj);
+        RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsParentDir);
+    }
+
+    RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainOpenDir(const char *pszSpec, uint32_t fOpen,
+                              PRTVFSDIR phVfsDir, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pszSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(*pszSpec != '\0', VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(phVfsDir, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrNullReturn(pErrInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Try for a VFS chain first, falling back on regular file system stuff if it's just a path.
+     */
+    int rc;
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) == 0)
+    {
+        rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR, &pSpec, poffError);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+
+        Assert(pSpec->cElements > 0);
+        if (   pSpec->cElements > 1
+            || pSpec->paElements[0].enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_END)
+        {
+            const char *pszFinal = NULL;
+            RTVFSOBJ    hVfsObj  = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+            pSpec->fOpenFile = RTFILE_O_READ;
+            rc = RTVfsChainSpecCheckAndSetup(pSpec, NULL /*pReuseSpec*/, &hVfsObj, &pszFinal, poffError, pErrInfo);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                if (!pszFinal)
+                {
+                    /* Try convert it to a directory object and we're done. */
+                    *phVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                    if (*phVfsDir)
+                        rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    /*
+                     * Do a file open with the final path on the returned object.
+                     */
+                    RTVFS           hVfs    = RTVfsObjToVfs(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSDIR        hVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSFSSTREAM   hVfsFss = RTVfsObjToFsStream(hVfsObj);
+                    if (hVfs != NIL_RTVFS)
+                        rc = RTVfsDirOpen(hVfs, pszFinal, fOpen, phVfsDir);
+                    else if (hVfsDir != NIL_RTVFSDIR)
+                        rc = RTVfsDirOpenDir(hVfsDir, pszFinal, fOpen, phVfsDir);
+                    else if (hVfsFss != NIL_RTVFSFSSTREAM)
+                        rc = VERR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TYPE_MISMATCH_PATH_ONLY;
+                    RTVfsRelease(hVfs);
+                    RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                    RTVfsFsStrmRelease(hVfsFss);
+                }
+                RTVfsObjRelease(hVfsObj);
+            }
+
+            RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+            return rc;
+        }
+
+        /* Only a path element. */
+        pszSpec = pSpec->paElements[0].paArgs[0].psz;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Path to regular file system.
+     */
+    rc = RTVfsDirOpenNormal(pszSpec, fOpen, phVfsDir);
+
+    RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainOpenParentDir(const char *pszSpec, uint32_t fOpen, PRTVFSDIR phVfsDir, const char **ppszChild,
+                                    uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pszSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(*pszSpec != '\0', VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(phVfsDir, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(ppszChild, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    *ppszChild = NULL;
+    AssertPtrNullReturn(pErrInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Process the spec from the end, trying to find the child part of it.
+     * We cannot use RTPathFilename here because we must ignore trailing slashes.
+     */
+    const char * const pszEnd   = RTStrEnd(pszSpec, RTSTR_MAX);
+    const char        *pszChild = pszEnd;
+    while (   pszChild != pszSpec
+           && RTPATH_IS_SLASH(pszChild[-1]))
+        pszChild--;
+    while (   pszChild != pszSpec
+           && !RTPATH_IS_SLASH(pszChild[-1])
+           && !RTPATH_IS_VOLSEP(pszChild[-1]))
+        pszChild--;
+    size_t const cchChild = pszEnd - pszChild;
+    *ppszChild = pszChild;
+
+    /*
+     * Try for a VFS chain first, falling back on regular file system stuff if it's just a path.
+     */
+    int rc;
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) == 0)
+    {
+        rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_DIR, &pSpec, poffError);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+
+        Assert(pSpec->cElements > 0);
+        if (   pSpec->cElements > 1
+            || pSpec->paElements[0].enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_END)
+        {
+            /*
+             * Check that it ends with a path-only element and that this in turn ends with
+             * what pszChild points to.  (We cannot easiy figure out the parent part of
+             * an element that isn't path-only, so we don't bother trying try.)
+             */
+            PRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pLast = &pSpec->paElements[pSpec->cElements - 1];
+            if (pLast->pszProvider == NULL)
+            {
+                size_t cchFinal = strlen(pLast->paArgs[0].psz);
+                if (   cchFinal >= cchChild
+                    && memcmp(&pLast->paArgs[0].psz[cchFinal - cchChild], pszChild, cchChild + 1) == 0)
+                {
+                    /*
+                     * Drop the child part so we have a path to the parent, then setup the chain.
+                     */
+                    if (cchFinal > cchChild)
+                        pLast->paArgs[0].psz[cchFinal - cchChild] = '\0';
+                    else
+                        pSpec->cElements--;
+
+                    const char *pszFinal = NULL;
+                    RTVFSOBJ    hVfsObj  = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+                    pSpec->fOpenFile = fOpen;
+                    rc = RTVfsChainSpecCheckAndSetup(pSpec, NULL /*pReuseSpec*/, &hVfsObj, &pszFinal, poffError, pErrInfo);
+                    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+                    {
+                        if (!pszFinal)
+                        {
+                            Assert(cchFinal == cchChild);
+
+                            /* Try convert it to a file object and we're done. */
+                            *phVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                            if (*phVfsDir)
+                                rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+                            else
+                                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                            /*
+                             * Do a file open with the final path on the returned object.
+                             */
+                            RTVFS           hVfs    = RTVfsObjToVfs(hVfsObj);
+                            RTVFSDIR        hVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                            RTVFSFSSTREAM   hVfsFss = RTVfsObjToFsStream(hVfsObj);
+                            if (hVfs != NIL_RTVFS)
+                                rc = RTVfsDirOpen(hVfs, pszFinal, fOpen, phVfsDir);
+                            else if (hVfsDir != NIL_RTVFSDIR)
+                                rc = RTVfsDirOpenDir(hVfsDir, pszFinal, fOpen, phVfsDir);
+                            else if (hVfsFss != NIL_RTVFSFSSTREAM)
+                                rc = VERR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED;
+                            else
+                                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TYPE_MISMATCH_PATH_ONLY;
+                            RTVfsRelease(hVfs);
+                            RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                            RTVfsFsStrmRelease(hVfsFss);
+                        }
+                        RTVfsObjRelease(hVfsObj);
+                    }
+                }
+                else
+                    rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TOO_SHORT_FOR_PARENT;
+            }
+            else
+                rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_NOT_PATH_ONLY;
+
+            RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+            return rc;
+        }
+
+        /* Only a path element. */
+        pszSpec = pSpec->paElements[0].paArgs[0].psz;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Path to regular file system.
+     */
+    if (RTPathHasPath(pszSpec))
+    {
+        char *pszCopy = RTStrDup(pszSpec);
+        if (pszCopy)
+        {
+            RTPathStripFilename(pszCopy);
+            rc = RTVfsDirOpenNormal(pszCopy, fOpen, phVfsDir);
+            RTStrFree(pszCopy);
+        }
+        else
+            rc = VERR_NO_STR_MEMORY;
+    }
+    else
+        rc = RTVfsDirOpenNormal(".", fOpen, phVfsDir);
+
+    RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    return rc;
+
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainOpenFile(const char *pszSpec, uint64_t fOpen,
+                               PRTVFSFILE phVfsFile, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pszSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(*pszSpec != '\0', VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(phVfsFile, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrNullReturn(pErrInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Try for a VFS chain first, falling back on regular file system stuff if it's just a path.
+     */
+    int rc;
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) == 0)
+    {
+        rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_FILE, &pSpec, poffError);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+
+        Assert(pSpec->cElements > 0);
+        if (   pSpec->cElements > 1
+            || pSpec->paElements[0].enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_END)
+        {
+            const char *pszFinal = NULL;
+            RTVFSOBJ    hVfsObj  = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+            pSpec->fOpenFile = fOpen;
+            rc = RTVfsChainSpecCheckAndSetup(pSpec, NULL /*pReuseSpec*/, &hVfsObj, &pszFinal, poffError, pErrInfo);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                if (!pszFinal)
+                {
+                    /* Try convert it to a file object and we're done. */
+                    *phVfsFile = RTVfsObjToFile(hVfsObj);
+                    if (*phVfsFile)
+                        rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    /*
+                     * Do a file open with the final path on the returned object.
+                     */
+                    RTVFS           hVfs    = RTVfsObjToVfs(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSDIR        hVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSFSSTREAM   hVfsFss = RTVfsObjToFsStream(hVfsObj);
+                    if (hVfs != NIL_RTVFS)
+                        rc = RTVfsFileOpen(hVfs, pszFinal, fOpen, phVfsFile);
+                    else if (hVfsDir != NIL_RTVFSDIR)
+                        rc = RTVfsDirOpenFile(hVfsDir, pszFinal, fOpen, phVfsFile);
+                    else if (hVfsFss != NIL_RTVFSFSSTREAM)
+                        rc = VERR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TYPE_MISMATCH_PATH_ONLY;
+                    RTVfsRelease(hVfs);
+                    RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                    RTVfsFsStrmRelease(hVfsFss);
+                }
+                RTVfsObjRelease(hVfsObj);
+            }
+
+            RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+            return rc;
+        }
+
+        /* Only a path element. */
+        pszSpec = pSpec->paElements[0].paArgs[0].psz;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Path to regular file system.
+     */
+    RTFILE hFile;
+    rc = RTFileOpen(&hFile, pszSpec, fOpen);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+        RTVFSFILE hVfsFile;
+        rc = RTVfsFileFromRTFile(hFile, fOpen, false /*fLeaveOpen*/, &hVfsFile);
+        if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            *phVfsFile = hVfsFile;
+        else
+            RTFileClose(hFile);
+    }
+
+    RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainOpenIoStream(const char *pszSpec, uint64_t fOpen,
+                                   PRTVFSIOSTREAM phVfsIos, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pszSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(*pszSpec != '\0', VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(phVfsIos, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertPtrNullReturn(pErrInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Try for a VFS chain first, falling back on regular file system stuff if it's just a path.
+     */
+    int rc;
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) == 0)
+    {
+        rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_IO_STREAM, &pSpec, poffError);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+
+        Assert(pSpec->cElements > 0);
+        if (   pSpec->cElements > 1
+            || pSpec->paElements[0].enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_END)
+        {
+            const char *pszFinal = NULL;
+            RTVFSOBJ    hVfsObj  = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+            pSpec->fOpenFile = fOpen;
+            rc = RTVfsChainSpecCheckAndSetup(pSpec, NULL /*pReuseSpec*/, &hVfsObj, &pszFinal, poffError, pErrInfo);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                if (!pszFinal)
+                {
+                    /* Try convert it to an I/O object and we're done. */
+                    *phVfsIos = RTVfsObjToIoStream(hVfsObj);
+                    if (*phVfsIos)
+                        rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    /*
+                     * Do a file open with the final path on the returned object.
+                     */
+                    RTVFS           hVfs    = RTVfsObjToVfs(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSDIR        hVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSFSSTREAM   hVfsFss = RTVfsObjToFsStream(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSFILE       hVfsFile = NIL_RTVFSFILE;
+                    if (hVfs != NIL_RTVFS)
+                        rc = RTVfsFileOpen(hVfs, pszFinal, fOpen, &hVfsFile);
+                    else if (hVfsDir != NIL_RTVFSDIR)
+                        rc = RTVfsDirOpenFile(hVfsDir, pszFinal, fOpen, &hVfsFile);
+                    else if (hVfsFss != NIL_RTVFSFSSTREAM)
+                        rc = VERR_NOT_IMPLEMENTED;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TYPE_MISMATCH_PATH_ONLY;
+                    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+                    {
+                        *phVfsIos = RTVfsFileToIoStream(hVfsFile);
+                        if (*phVfsIos)
+                            rc = VINF_SUCCESS;
+                        else
+                            rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_CAST_FAILED;
+                        RTVfsFileRelease(hVfsFile);
+                    }
+                    RTVfsRelease(hVfs);
+                    RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                    RTVfsFsStrmRelease(hVfsFss);
+                }
+                RTVfsObjRelease(hVfsObj);
+            }
+
+            RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+            return rc;
+        }
+
+        /* Only a path element. */
+        pszSpec = pSpec->paElements[0].paArgs[0].psz;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Path to regular file system.
+     */
+    RTFILE hFile;
+    rc = RTFileOpen(&hFile, pszSpec, fOpen);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+        RTVFSFILE hVfsFile;
+        rc = RTVfsFileFromRTFile(hFile, fOpen, false /*fLeaveOpen*/, &hVfsFile);
+        if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+        {
+            *phVfsIos = RTVfsFileToIoStream(hVfsFile);
+            RTVfsFileRelease(hVfsFile);
+        }
+        else
+            RTFileClose(hFile);
+    }
+
+    RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * The equivalent of RTPathQueryInfoEx
+ */
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainQueryInfo(const char *pszSpec, PRTFSOBJINFO pObjInfo, RTFSOBJATTRADD enmAdditionalAttribs,
+                                uint32_t fFlags, uint32_t *poffError, PRTERRINFO pErrInfo)
+{
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+    AssertPtrReturn(pszSpec, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(*pszSpec != '\0', VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertPtrReturn(pObjInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+    AssertReturn(enmAdditionalAttribs >= RTFSOBJATTRADD_NOTHING && enmAdditionalAttribs <= RTFSOBJATTRADD_LAST,
+                 VERR_INVALID_PARAMETER);
+    AssertPtrNullReturn(pErrInfo, VERR_INVALID_POINTER);
+
+    /*
+     * Try for a VFS chain first, falling back on regular file system stuff if it's just a path.
+     */
+    int rc;
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) == 0)
+    {
+        rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_BASE, &pSpec, poffError);
+        if (RT_FAILURE(rc))
+            return rc;
+
+        Assert(pSpec->cElements > 0);
+        if (   pSpec->cElements > 1
+            || pSpec->paElements[0].enmType != RTVFSOBJTYPE_END)
+        {
+            const char *pszFinal = NULL;
+            RTVFSOBJ    hVfsObj  = NIL_RTVFSOBJ;
+            pSpec->fOpenFile = RTFILE_O_READ | RTFILE_O_OPEN;
+            rc = RTVfsChainSpecCheckAndSetup(pSpec, NULL /*pReuseSpec*/, &hVfsObj, &pszFinal, poffError, pErrInfo);
+            if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+            {
+                if (!pszFinal)
+                {
+                    /*
+                     * Do the job on the final object.
+                     */
+                    rc = RTVfsObjQueryInfo(hVfsObj, pObjInfo, enmAdditionalAttribs);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    /*
+                     * Do a path query operation on the penultimate object.
+                     */
+                    RTVFS           hVfs    = RTVfsObjToVfs(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSDIR        hVfsDir = RTVfsObjToDir(hVfsObj);
+                    RTVFSFSSTREAM   hVfsFss = RTVfsObjToFsStream(hVfsObj);
+                    if (hVfs != NIL_RTVFS)
+                        rc = RTVfsQueryPathInfo(hVfs, pszFinal, pObjInfo, enmAdditionalAttribs, fFlags);
+                    else if (hVfsDir != NIL_RTVFSDIR)
+                        rc = RTVfsDirQueryPathInfo(hVfsDir, pszFinal, pObjInfo, enmAdditionalAttribs, fFlags);
+                    else if (hVfsFss != NIL_RTVFSFSSTREAM)
+                        rc = VERR_NOT_SUPPORTED;
+                    else
+                        rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_TYPE_MISMATCH_PATH_ONLY;
+                    RTVfsRelease(hVfs);
+                    RTVfsDirRelease(hVfsDir);
+                    RTVfsFsStrmRelease(hVfsFss);
+                }
+                RTVfsObjRelease(hVfsObj);
+            }
+
+            RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+            return rc;
+        }
+
+        /* Only a path element. */
+        pszSpec = pSpec->paElements[0].paArgs[0].psz;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Path to regular file system.
+     */
+    rc = RTPathQueryInfoEx(pszSpec, pObjInfo, enmAdditionalAttribs, fFlags);
+
+    RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(bool) RTVfsChainIsSpec(const char *pszSpec)
+{
+    return pszSpec
+        && strncmp(pszSpec, RT_STR_TUPLE(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX)) == 0;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainQueryFinalPath(const char *pszSpec, char **ppszFinalPath, uint32_t *poffError)
+{
+    /* Make sure we've got an error info variable. */
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+
+    /*
+     * If not chain specifier, just duplicate the input and return.
+     */
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) != 0)
+        return RTStrDupEx(ppszFinalPath, pszSpec);
+
+    /*
+     * Parse it and check out the last element.
+     */
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    int rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_BASE, &pSpec, poffError);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+        PCRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pLast = &pSpec->paElements[pSpec->cElements - 1];
+        if (pLast->pszProvider == NULL)
+            rc = RTStrDupEx(ppszFinalPath, pLast->paArgs[0].psz);
+        else
+        {
+            rc = VERR_VFS_CHAIN_NOT_PATH_ONLY;
+            *poffError = pLast->offSpec;
+        }
+        RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    }
+    return rc;
+}
+
+
+RTDECL(int) RTVfsChainSplitOffFinalPath(char *pszSpec, char **ppszSpec, char **ppszFinalPath, uint32_t *poffError)
+{
+    /* Make sure we've got an error info variable. */
+    uint32_t offErrorIgn;
+    if (!poffError)
+        poffError = &offErrorIgn;
+    *poffError = 0;
+
+    /*
+     * If not chain specifier, just duplicate the input and return.
+     */
+    if (strncmp(pszSpec, RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX, sizeof(RTVFSCHAIN_SPEC_PREFIX) - 1) != 0)
+    {
+        *ppszSpec      = NULL;
+        *ppszFinalPath = pszSpec;
+        return VINF_SUCCESS;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * Parse it and check out the last element.
+     */
+    PRTVFSCHAINSPEC pSpec = NULL;
+    int rc = RTVfsChainSpecParse(pszSpec,  0 /*fFlags*/, RTVFSOBJTYPE_BASE, &pSpec, poffError);
+    if (RT_SUCCESS(rc))
+    {
+        Assert(pSpec->cElements > 0);
+        PCRTVFSCHAINELEMSPEC pLast = &pSpec->paElements[pSpec->cElements - 1];
+        if (pLast->pszProvider == NULL)
+        {
+            char *psz = &pszSpec[pLast->offSpec];
+            *ppszFinalPath = psz;
+            if (pSpec->cElements > 1)
+            {
+                *ppszSpec = pszSpec;
+
+                /* Remove the separator and any whitespace around it. */
+                while (   psz != pszSpec
+                       && RT_C_IS_SPACE(psz[-1]))
+                    psz--;
+                if (    psz != pszSpec
+                    && (   psz[-1] == ':'
+                        || psz[-1] == '|'))
+                    psz--;
+                while (   psz != pszSpec
+                       && RT_C_IS_SPACE(psz[-1]))
+                    psz--;
+                *psz = '\0';
+            }
+            else
+                *ppszSpec = NULL;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            *ppszFinalPath = NULL;
+            *ppszSpec      = pszSpec;
+        }
+        RTVfsChainSpecFree(pSpec);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        *ppszSpec      = NULL;
+        *ppszFinalPath = NULL;
+    }
+    return rc;
+}
+