Member could not share with higher permissions' When Creating Sharing Links in SharePoint Online with View Permissions"

[YuriySamorodov]

Target SharePoint environment

SharePoint Online

What SharePoint development model, framework, SDK or API is this about?

💥 SharePoint Framework

Developer environment

Windows

What browser(s) / client(s) have you tested

• 💥 Internet Explorer
• 💥 Microsoft Edge
• 💥 Google Chrome
• 💥 FireFox
• 💥 Safari
• mobile (iOS/iPadOS)
• mobile (Android)
• not applicable
• other (enter in the "Additional environment details" area below)

Additional environment details

• browser version Google Chrome (Version 114.0.5735.90), Microsoft Edge Version 132.0.2957.115 (Official build) (64-bit)
• SPFx version
• Node.js version
• etc

Describe the bug / error

When attempting to create a sharing link for any user with any email and "View" permissions, the API returns an error message stating:

"Member could not share with higher permissions."

{"request":{"createLink":true,"settings":{"linkKind":6,"expiration":null,"role":1,"restrictShareMembership":true,"updatePassword":false,"password":"","scope":2,"nav":""},"peoplePickerInput":"[{\"Key\":\"[email protected]\",\"DisplayText\":\"[email protected]\",\"IsResolved\":true,\"Description\":\"[email protected]\",\"EntityType\":\"\",\"EntityData\":{\"SPUserID\":\"[email protected]\",\"Email\":\"[email protected]\",\"IsBlocked\":\"False\",\"PrincipalType\":\"UNVALIDATED_EMAIL_ADDRESS\",\"AccountName\":\"[email protected]\",\"SIPAddress\":\"[email protected]\",\"IsBlockedOnODB\":\"False\"},\"MultipleMatches\":[],\"ProviderName\":\"\",\"ProviderDisplayName\":\"\"}]"}}

{"error":{"code":"-4, System.InvalidOperationException","message":{"lang":"en-US","value":"Member could not share with higher permissions."}}}

This indicates that the user is unable to share items due to permission restrictions within the SharePoint environment.

Steps to reproduce

1. Attempt to create a sharing link using the SharePoint Online backend API for a user who already has access.
2. Observe the error message returned by the API.

Expected behavior

The user should be able to create a sharing link without encountering permission errors and regardless of the permission level chosen, provided they have appropriate sharing permissions set at the site level.

[GerardoAbalMO]

We have been experiencing the exact same issue with our SharePoint Online Tenant since January 20, 2025.

All settings related to sharing permissions are correctly configured. Please note that we have been working with several document libraries without any issues for years.

We have not made any changes.

Any help will be appreciated.

[GerardoAbalMO]

After opening a case with Microsoft Support, they ask me to change some Permision Set Configuration.

On "Edit" Permision Set, we have to disable this two characteristics: BrowseDirectories and EnumeratePermissions

After apply, wait almost 1 hour the problem seems to be solved.