Article ID: 283001
Article Last Modified on 2/28/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6
- 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
This article was previously published under Q283001
SYMPTOMS
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability that affects Windows NT 4.0-based servers that provide secure remote sessions. The vulnerability may allow a malicious user to prevent an affected computer from providing service.
The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) service has a security vulnerability in the code that handles a certain type of data packet, which results in a leak of kernel memory. If a sufficient number of packets that contain a specific malformation are received by an affected server, kernel memory eventually becomes exhausted. This can cause the server to stop responding (hang). When the computer hangs, you must reboot the computer. Note that any PPTP sessions that are running are lost when you reboot the computer. The malicious user does not need to establish a valid PPTP session to exploit the vulnerability.
The vulnerability does not threaten the security of the data in PPTP sessions in any way; it is strictly a denial-of-service vulnerability. Computers that are running the PPTP service are the only computers that are affected by this vulnerability (the service does not run by default). Windows 2000-based computers, including Windows 2000-based computers that are running PPTP, are not affected by this vulnerability.
RESOLUTION
Windows NT 4.0
To resolve this problem, obtain the individual package referenced below or obtain the Windows NT 4.0 Security Rollup Package. For additional information on the SRP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
299444 Post-Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a Security Rollup Package (SRP)
The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
US English:
![[GRAPHIC: Download]](/wiki/index.php?title=File:Download.gif){kind=small}
Download Q283001i.exe now
German:
Download Deuq283001i.exe now
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-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
Date Time Version Size File name Platform
-----------------------------------------------------------------
12/07/2000 11:48p 4.0.1381.7086 41,008 Raspptpe.sys Intel
12/07/2000 11:46p 4.0.1381.7086 76,592 Raspptpe.sys Alpha
NOTE: Due to file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a (SP6a).
Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
To resolve this problem, either obtain the hotfix referenced in this section or the Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Security Rollup Package (SRP). For additional information about the SRP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
317636 Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Security Rollup Package
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:
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 English-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
Date Time Version Size File name Platform
-----------------------------------------------------------------
12/07/2000 11:48p 4.0.1381.7086 41,008 Raspptpe.sys Intel
12/07/2000 11:46p 4.0.1381.7086 76,592 Raspptpe.sys Alpha
NOTE: Due to file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6 (SP6).
STATUS
Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Windows NT 4.0.
Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Services Edition
Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vulnerability, view the following Microsoft Web site:
Additional query words: security_patch kbtse srp
Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbgraphxlinkcritical kbsecvulnerability kbqfe kbenv kbpatch kbsecurity kbsecbulletin kbhotfixserver KB283001
