Hello Cadent,I had big problems with this because when that permisssion is not repaired Apples professional[??] recording sofware "Logic Pro" loses its audio output.
Re installing the OS[10.8 in my case] does fix that but some posters were suggesting that zipping that app might keep it from being modified from outside, I certainly don't need or use it, but am not smart enough to know if that would work.
Yesterday I downloaded an update for 10.8.5 that had a new version of that app, but again apple are not very interested in what they are doing since the unfortunate passing of Steve Jobs, they certainly don't look at these forums and and most people report that only calling them will get any results, the result I got was that I should re install the OS it does work but I too find the support under the present management sub par,to say the least.
You sound like someone who knows a lot more than me so if you think zipping the app would help please post back.
I fear zipping it might change its permissions and mean another 3 hour re install.