Error message when you open the properties of an object in "Security Configuration and Analysis": "MMC has detected an error in a snap-in"

You use the "Security Configuration and Analysis" snap-in to verify the permissions or to set the permissions on a folder, on a file, or on a registry key. However, when you open the properties of the object in "Security Configuration and Analysis," you receive the following error message:Then, you can select the following two options:

• Report this error to Microsoft, and then shut down MMC
• Ignore this error and continue running

If you select the Report this error to Microsoft, and then shut down MMC option, "Security Configuration and Analysis" stops responding. The error has the following error signature:If you select the Ignore this error and continue running option, the properties dialog box does not appear.

Note In Microsoft Windows Server 2003, the problem only occurs after you install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

This problem occurs because "Security Configuration and Analysis" does not determine whether a received parameter is a null address when you open the properties dialog box. "Security Configuration and Analysis" crashes when a parameter contains a null pointer.

Hotfix information for Windows Server 2003

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 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 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 Web site: 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 have Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

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 Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions

Hotfix information for Windows XP

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 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 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 Web site: 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 have Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

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 XP Professional x64 Edition with Service Pack 2

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

You can use "Security Configuration and Analysis" to compare the current security configuration with a security configuration that is stored in a database. You can create a database that has a preferred level of security. Then, you can run an analysis that compares the current configuration to the settings in the database.

"Security Configuration and Analysis" includes the following features:

• Security templates
• Security configuration and analysis
• The Secedit command-line tool

To analyze the security configuration of the computer, follow these two steps:

• Use a security template to create the security database.
• Compare the computer security analysis to the database settings.

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: