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Q304876: NNTP Service in Windows NT 4.0 Contains Memory Leak

Article: Q304876
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6a
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kbtool kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6a 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6a 
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For additional information about a similar problem that can occur in Microsoft Windows 2000, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q303984 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 fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to
correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to
systems that are determined to be at risk of attack. Please evaluate your
computer's physical accessibility, network and Internet connectivity, and other
factors to determine the degree of risk to your computer. Please see the
associated Microsoft Security Bulletin
(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-043.asp)
to help make this determination. This fix may receive additional testing at a
later time, to further ensure product quality. If your computer is sufficiently
at risk, Microsoft recommends that you apply this fix now.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the fix as instructed below or
contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete
list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on
support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may
be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific
update will resolve your problem. Normal 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:

  DownloadDownload Q304876engi386.exe now
  (http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/Release.asp?ReleaseID=31955)

Release Date: August 14, 2001

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

  Q119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft used the most current virus detection software available on the date of
posting to scan this file for viruses. After it is posted, the file is housed on
secure servers that 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 could result in some 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.asp

Additional query words: security_patch

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv kbtool kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400sp5 kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400sp6 kbWinNTS400sp5 kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400sp3 kbWinNTS400sp2 kbWinNTS400sp1 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTSEnt400SP6a
Version           : :4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6a
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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