Microsoft has released a patch to address a potential security vulnerability in the HyperTerminal program that is included with Windows NT 4.0. A buffer-overflow vulnerability could allow arbitrary code to be run on a user's computer under special circumstances.

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A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that you determine are at risk of attack. Evaluate the computer's physical accessibility, network and Internet connectivity, and other factors to determine the degree of risk to the computer. See the associated Microsoft Security Bulletin (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS00-079.mspx) to help determine the degree of risk. This hotfix may receive additional testing. If the computer is sufficiently at risk, we recommend that you apply this hotfix now.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the hotfix by following the instructions later in this article or contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Release Date: August 29, 2001

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   26-Jul-2001  18:05  4.0.1381.7097   22,288  Hticons.dll
   26-Jul-2001  18:05  4.0.2.0          8,976  Htrn_jis.dll
   26-Jul-2001  18:05  4.0.1381.7097  386,320  Hypertrm.dll
   26-Jul-2001  18:06  4.0.1381.7097    6,928  Hypertrm.exe
				

NOTE: Because of file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a.

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Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Windows NT 4.0.

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For additional information about this vulnerability, see the following Microsoft Web site:

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