Microsoft KB Archive/937063

= The system automatically restarts when you try to encrypt files or to decrypt files by using EFS on a computer that is running Windows Vista =

Article ID: 937063

Article Last Modified on 8/29/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:
 * A third-party cryptographic service provider (CSP) is installed on a computer that is running Windows Vista.
 * You log on to the system by using a smart card that stores the user credentials and the Encrypting File System (EFS) certificate.
 * You try to encrypt files or to decrypt files by using EFS.

In this scenario, you receive the following warning message:

Windows has encountered a critical problem and will restart automatically in one minute. Please save your work now.

Then, the system automatically restarts.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because an error in EFS causes the Lsass.exe process to exit unexpectedly.

If you try to encrypt files or to decrypt files by using EFS, and if the EFS certificate is stored in a smart card, EFS obtains the certificate from the smart card by using the CSP. To obtain the certificate, the CSP uses some fields in the CRYPT_KEY_PROV_INFO structure. However, EFS has not initialized all the fields in the CRYPT_KEY_PROV_INFO structure.

When the CSP tries to retrieve the uninitialized fields, an access violation occurs. This access violation causes the Lsass.exe process to exit. Then, the system restarts automatically when the system detects that the Lsass.exe process is not running.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for installing this hotfix.

Restart requirement
You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the CRYPT_KEY_PROV_INFO structure, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa924673.aspx

For more information about third-party certification authority support for EFS, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

273856 Third-party certification authority support for Encrypting File System

For more information about smart cards, visit the following Microsoft TechNet Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/guidance/identitymanagement/scard.mspx

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Additional query words: EFS LSASS crash

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbqfe kbpubtypekc kbexpertiseinter kbexpertisebeginner kbhotfixserver kbwinvistapostrtmfix KB937063

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