Win9x/Me NWLink Subject to Denial of Service

Unfiltered broadcast packets can lead to denial of service.

ITPro Today

October 10, 2000

1 Min Read
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Reported October 11, 2000 by Microsoft

VERSIONS AFFECTED

  • Microsoft Windows 9x/Me

DESCRIPTION

A denial of service condition exists within Windows 9x/Me's NWLink protocol, where the Name Management Protocol on IPX (NMPI) may reply to network broadcast packets that should have been filtered out. Such a reply would cause other listening NWLink-enabled systems to also respond, which could lead to a large amount of network traffic. Systems may also crash under such conditions.

VENDOR RESPONSE

Microsoft has released a patch for Win95, Win98 and WinMe; FAQ# FQ00-073, and article Q273727.

CREDIT
Discovered by Microsoft

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