Lsass.exe process crashes and error code 255 is logged because of a CNF NTDS Settings object in Active Directory on Windows

When a NTDS Settings conflicting (CNF) object is created in the Active Directory, the Lsass.exe process may crash and unexpectedly reboot the Domain Controller. Additionally, the following events are logged in the System log:

Log Name: Application
Source: Application Error
Date: DateTime
Event ID: 1000
Task Category: Application Crashing Events
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: ComputerName
Description:
Faulting application name: lsass.exe, version: 6.1.7601.17725, time stamp: 0x4ec483fc
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.1.7601.18229, time stamp: 0x51fb164a
Exception code: 0xc0000374
Fault offset: 0x00000000000c4102
Faulting process id: 0x1f4
Faulting application start time: 0x01ceb94c671de3dd
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll
Report Id: 80a2cd04-2540-11e3-99e2-441ea1d316a4
Faulting package full name: %14
Faulting package-relative application ID: %15


Log Name: Application
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Wininit
Date: DateTime
Event ID: 1015
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: ComputerName
Description:
A critical system process, C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe, failed with status code 255. The machine must now be restarted.

Note The NTDS Settings represents the domain controller in the replication system. The NTDS Settings object stores connection objects, which make replication possible between two or more domain controllers.

To resolve this issue, we have released an update rollup for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. And we have released a hotfix for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008. We also have a workaround for Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 SP2.

Update information for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2

To resolve this issue in Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2, install update rollup 2955164. For more information about how to obtain this update rollup package, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

2955164 Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 update rollup: May 2014

Workaround for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012

To work around this issue, delete conflict objects manually according to the Workaround section.

Hotfix information for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

To resolve this issue in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, install hotfix 2862304. For more information about how to obtain the hotfix, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

2862304 AD DS or AD LDS responds slowly to complex LDAP query that has a deeply nested filter on Windows server

Hotfix information for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

To resolve this issue in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, install the hotfix that is described in this article.

A supported hotfix is 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 the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix Download Available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if 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. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft website:

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

Note The "Hotfix Download Available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must be running Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

For more information about how to obtain a Windows Vista service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

935791 How to obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack

For more information about how to obtain a Windows Server 2008 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

968849 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2008

Registry information

To apply this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.