I am running an application which has the default security manager. I have given QueuePrintJob, <ALL FILES> - read, AWTPermission-showWindowWithoutWarningBanner permissions in the properties file and calling Desktop methods open, print, browse, edit. All these methods throw an AccessControlException saying File-execute permission is not available. As per the specification, all these methods require only file-read permission and not file-execute permission. Either the doc must be updated or the implementation must be changed to check only for File-READ permission.

I reproduced it on WinXP-prof with the following PIT build:
java version "1.6.0-awt.rebuild_int_jcg_win_02"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.6.0-awt.rebuild_int_jcg_win_02-java2d_11_aug_2005_10_55-b00)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.6.0-ea-b46, mixed mode)

This could not be tested on SolSparc since Print functionality is not supported.

I have attached a sample test. Execute the sample test and pass a file name as follows:
java DesktopTest sample.log
You would see a frame. Choose 'Install Sec Manager' checkbox. Click on any of the actions. If you see an exception asking for FILE-EXECUTE permission, the bug is reproduced.

Make sure you provide QueuePrintJob access, <ALL FILES>-read, property permission (user.dir - read), showWindowWithoutWarningBanner permissions in the policy file.
Here is the exception:
java.security.AccessControlException: access denied (java.io.FilePermission <<ALL FILES>> execute)
at java.security.AccessControlContext.checkPermission(AccessControlContext.java:321)
at java.security.AccessController.checkPermission(AccessController.java:546)
at java.lang.SecurityManager.checkPermission(SecurityManager.java:532)
at java.awt.Desktop.checkExec(Desktop.java:420)
at java.awt.Desktop.open(Desktop.java:244)
at DesktopTest.actionPerformed(DesktopTest.java:127)
at java.awt.Button.processActionEvent(Button.java:388)
at java.awt.Button.processEvent(Button.java:356)
at java.awt.Component.dispatchEventImpl(Component.java:4342)
at java.awt.Component.dispatchEvent(Component.java:4176)
at java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEvent(EventQueue.java:599)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpOneEventForFilters(EventDispatchThread.java:273)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForFilter(EventDispatchThread.java:183)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForHierarchy(EventDispatchThread.java:173)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:168)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:160)
at java.awt.EventDispatchThread.run(EventDispatchThread.java:121)