Memory Leak Occurs in the Lsass.exe Process on a Windows Server 2003-Based Domain Controller

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SYMPTOMS

On a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based domain controller, the memory usage may continue to increase, and therefore, you may have to periodically restart the server. If you use System Monitor to view the Local Security Authority Service (Lsass.exe) process, you see that the memory usage for the Lsass.exe process continues to grow. (To monitor this process, see the Process\Private Bytes and the Process\Virtual Bytes performance counters.)

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CAUSE

This problem occurs because of a memory leak that is associated with the Lsass.exe process. The rate of the leak depends on the number of groups and of group members that exist in the domain, and on the number of group-related queries.

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RESOLUTION

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:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

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

No prerequisites are required.

Restart Requirement

You must restart your 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) 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 tool in Control Panel.

   Date         Time   Version      Size       File name   Platform
   -----------------------------------------------------------------
   01-Oct-2003  18:55  5.2.3790.89    463,872  Samsrv.dll  x86
   01-Oct-2003  18:55  5.2.3790.89  1,034,240  Samsrv.dll  IA-64

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