Some large interlaced PNG files do not appear correctly, and you receive an error message in Windows Server 2003

On a computer that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003, some large interlaced Portable Network Graphic (PNG) files do not appear correctly. You may also encounter one or more of the following symptoms:

• When you try to open a PNG file by using a .NET Framework 2.0 function, you receive the following error message:
  A generic error occurred in GDI+
• When you open a PNG file by using Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, you receive the following error message:
  Drawing failed
• When you open a PNG file by using Paint (Mspaint.exe), you receive the following error message:
  Paint cannot read this file. This is not a valid bitmap file, or its format is currently not supported

Note This problem does not occur in Windows Server 2003 without a service pack installed. This problem occurs only after you install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2). However, because x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 includes the features and fixes that are included in Windows Server 2003 SP1, this problem may also occur in these versions.

This problem occurs because a security tightening is included in Windows Server 2003 SP1 and in Windows Server 2003 SP2. This security tightening incorrectly limits how interlaced PNG files are processed.

Hotfix information

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 Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 SP2, or an x64-based version of Windows Server 2003 installed.

Restart requirement

You must 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 SP2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP2, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP1, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Itanium-based versions

Windows XP with SP2, x64-based versions

Windows XP, x64-based versions

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

The PNG format is a platform-independent format that supports a high level of lossless compression, alpha channel transparency, gamma correction, and interlacing. The PNG format is supported by more recent Web browsers.

Interlacing is a method to send picture data over the Internet. When a picture is interlaced, you see a general impression of the picture after one sixty-fourth of it has been downloaded. As more of the image is downloaded, resolution improves until the whole picture appears.

For more information about the PNG picture format, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about the terms that are used to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: