A handle leak occurs in a Server Message Block (SMB) session between computers that are running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

Consider the following scenario:

• In a network environment, you set up a Server Message Block (SMB) connection between two Windows Vista-based computers that use the SMB2 protocol.
• The SMB session requires more than one roundtrip.
• The connection is closed while Windows Vista is processing the response for the second roundtrip.

In this scenario, a handle leak may occur. Specifically, when you run the Net Session command, invalid session information is returned. This session information may indicate in the Opens column that this session has an invalid count.

After the issue occurs, you must restart the SMB service or the computer that is running this service.

Note This issue also occurs in Windows Server 2008.

This issue occurs because the process cannot remove the SMB session handle from the global session table when Windows Vista closes the SMB session.

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.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the �Hotfix Request� page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

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

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 Vista and Windows Server 2008, x86-based versions

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, x64-based versions

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, IA-64-based versions

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

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