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A memory leak occurs when a computer uses WinHTTP to connect to a Web server by using an SSL connection in Windows XP with Service Pack 2

Article ID: 935760 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

When a computer connects to a Web server by using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection, a memory leak occurs in a process that uses Windows HTTP Services (WinHTTP). After this process runs continuously for a long time, you may be unable to open any applications. Or, the system may stop responding. For example, the system may stop responding after the process runs for a week or more.

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:

The computer is running Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2).
The connection to the Web server requires authentication that uses the Basic method or the Digest method.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs because of an error in the WinHTTP.dll file.

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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

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed.

Restart requirement

You must restart the 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 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 XP, 32-bit versions

Collapse this tableExpand this table

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Winhttp.dll	5.1.2600.3113	352,768	08-Apr-2007	07:54	x86

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STATUS

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

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MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Windows HTTP Services, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384273.aspx

(http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384273.aspx)

For more information about authentication, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows2000/en/advanced/iis/htm/core/iiabasc.htm

(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows2000/en/advanced/iis/htm/core/iiabasc.htm)

For more information about a similar problem in Windows Server 2003, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

918689

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918689/ )

A memory leak occurs when you use WinHTTP to access a Web server over an SSL connection

For more information about the terms that are used to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ )

Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

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