__________________________________________________________
The U.S. Department of Energy
Computer Incident Advisory Capability
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/ | /_\ /
\___ __|__ / \ \___
__________________________________________________________
INFORMATION BULLETIN
Windows NT 4.0 does not delete Unattended Installation File
October 13, 1999 17:00 GMT Number K-003
______________________________________________________________________________
PROBLEM: When an unattended installation of Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0
completes, a copy of the file that contains installation
parameters remains on the hard drive. Depending on the method
that was used to perform the installation and the specific
installation parameters that were selected, the file could
contain sensitive information, potentially including the local
Administrator password.
PLATFORM: Windows NT 4.0
DAMAGE: It depends on the information provided by the installation
parameter file. If sensitive information such as account names
and passwords are provided, it could allow the accounts to be
compromised. By default, any user who can interactively log
onto the machine can read the installation parameters file.
SOLUTION: Anyone performing an unattended installation should review the
installation parameter file and erase any sensitive information
contained in it or delete the file after the installation
completes.
______________________________________________________________________________
VULNERABILITY The risk is low. An administrator would have to install Windows
ASSESSMENT: NT in unattended mode and include sensitive information, such
as passwords and account names in the parameter file.
______________________________________________________________________________
[ Start Microsoft Advisory ]
Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-036)
--------------------------------------
Windows NT 4.0 Does Not Delete Unattended Installation File
Originally Posted: September 10, 1999
Summary
=======
When an unattended installation of Windows NT 4.0 completes, a copy of the
file that contains installation parameters remains on the hard drive.
Depending on the method that was to perform the installation and the
specific installation parameters that were selected, the file could contain
sensitive information, potentially including the local Administrator
password.
Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found
at http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-036faq.asp
Issue
=====
When an unattended installation of Windows NT 4.0 is performed, the
installation parameters are included in a file named Unattend.txt. A
vulnerability exists because the installation process copies the parameter
file to a file in %windir%\system32 ($winnt$.inf for a normal unattended
installation, or $nt4pre$.inf if Sysprep was used) but does not delete it
when the installation completes. By default, this file can be read by any
user who can perform an interactive logon. If sensitive information such as
account passwords were provided in the installation parameters file, the
information could be compromised.
As discussed in the FAQ, the degree of risk from this vulnerability varies
depending on the particular installation. However, in general, workstations
and terminal servers deployed using the Sysprep tool would be at greatest
risk from it.
Affected Software Versions
==========================
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Enterprise Edition
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
Resolution
==========
Customers performing unattended installations of Windows NT 4.0 should
ensure that they either review the file and erase any sensitive information
such as account information and passwords, or delete the file altogether.
Knowledge Base article Q241048 discusses one way to delete the file, via
the RunOnce registry key.
More Information
================
Please see the following references for more information related to this
issue.
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-036: Frequently Asked Questions,
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-036faq.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q241048,
Answer file for System Preperation Tool is not removed after completion,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q241/0/48.asp.
- System Preparation Tool,
http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/deploy/DeployTools/SysPrep.asp
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q173039,
Unattended Setup Parameters for Unattend.txt File,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q155/1/97.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q158484,
INFO: How to Set the Administrator Password During Unattended Setup,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q158/4/84.asp.
- Microsoft Security Advisor web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.asp.
NOTE: It may take 24 hours from the original posting of this
bulletin for the KB articles to be visible.
Obtaining Support on this Issue
===============================
Information on contacting Microsoft Technical Support is available
at http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp.
Acknowledgments
===============
Microsoft acknowledges Nets & Webs, Brisbane, Australia, for bringing this
issue to our attention.
Revisions
=========
- September 10, 1999: Bulletin Created.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[ End Microsoft Advisory ]
______________________________________________________________________________
CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Microsoft for the
information contained in this bulletin.
______________________________________________________________________________
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