The Lsass.exe process crashes when the Network Service account runs a service that calls the IADsUser::ChangePassword method to change the machine account password of the member server that is running the service

Consider the following scenario:

• You run a service on a member server that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista in an Active Directory domain.
• The service runs under the Network Service account.
• The service calls the IADsUser::ChangePassword method to change the machine account password of the member server.

In this scenario, the Lsass.exe process crashes because of an access violation error. You receive the following error message: After the computer restarts, you find that the following event is logged in the event log:

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Application Popup
Event Category: None
Event ID: 26
Description: Application popup:
System Shutdown: The system is shutting down. Please save all work in progress and log off. Any unsaved changes will be lost. This shutdown was initiated by NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. Shutdown will begin in number seconds. Shutdown message: The system process 'C: \WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe' terminated unexpectedly with status code error code . The system will now shut down and restart.

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 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, your computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
• Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfix.

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.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista SP1

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista SP1

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

To work around the issue, run the service under a domain user account.

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:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For more information about the IADsUser::ChangePassword method, visit the following Microsoft Web site: