Microsoft KB Archive/304876

= NNTP Service in Windows NT 4.0 Contains Memory Leak =

Article ID: 304876

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a

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This article was previously published under Q304876



For additional information about a similar problem that may occur in Microsoft Windows 2000, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

303984 NNTP Service in Windows 2000 Contains Memory Leak



SYMPTOMS
The Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) service in Windows NT 4.0 contains a memory leak in a routine that processes news postings. Each time such a posting is processed that contains a particular construction, the memory leak causes a small amount of memory to no longer be available for use. If an attacker sent a large number of posts, the server memory could be depleted to the point at which normal service would be disrupted. An affected server could be restored to normal service by rebooting.

Mitigating Factors:


 * Windows NT 4.0 does not contain a native NNTP service. NNTP is only available on the system if the Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack has been installed.
 * The default configuration of NNTP is not affected by this vulnerability, as no newsgroups are configured by default.
 * This vulnerability would not enable an attacker to usurp any administrative control or compromise data on the computer.



RESOLUTION
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that you determine are at risk of attack. Evaluate the computer's physical accessibility, network and Internet connectivity, and other factors to determine the degree of risk to the computer. See the associated Microsoft Security Bulletin to help determine the degree of risk. This hotfix may receive additional testing. If the computer is sufficiently at risk, we recommend that you apply this hotfix now.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the hotfix by following the instructions later in this article or contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download Q304876engi386.exe now

Release Date: August 14, 2001

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

  Date         Time   Version      Size     File name -  27-Jul-2001  12:39  5.5.1877.77  761,616  Nntpsvc.dll



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vulnerability, please see the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-043.mspx

Additional query words: security_patch

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbqfe kbenv KB304876

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