Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-028 - Important

Patch Available for "Terminal Server Connection Request Flooding" Vulnerability

Published: August 09, 1999 | Updated: March 21, 2003

Version: 2.0

Patch Availability Information Updated: March 21, 2003

Originally Posted: August 09, 1999

Summary

Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a vulnerability that could pose a denial-of-service threat to Microsoft® Windows NT® Terminal Servers. Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq99-028.mspx

Issue

When a request to open a new terminal connection is received by a Terminal Server, the server undertakes a resource-intensive series of operations to prepare for the connection. It does this before authenticating the request. This would allow an attacker to mount a denial of service attack by levying a large number of bogus connection requests and consuming all memory on the Terminal Server.

This vulnerability could be exploited remotely if connection requests are not filtered. In extreme cases, the server could crash in the face of such an attack; in other cases, normal processing would return when the attack ceased. The patch works by causing the server to require authentication before processing the connection request.

Affected Software Versions

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

Vulnerability Identifier: CVE-1999-0680

Patch Availability

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition: https:

More Information

Please see the following references for more information related to this issue.

Obtaining Support on this Issue

This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft Technical Support is available at </https:>https:.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft acknowledges the ISS X-force for discovering this vulnerability and working with us to alert customers about it.

Revisions

  • August 09, 1999: Bulletin Created.
  • V2.0 (March 21, 2003): Introduced versioning and updated patch availability information.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Built at 2014-04-18T13:49:36Z-07:00 </https:>