Article ID: 929140 - Last Review: June 27, 2007 - Revision: 1.6

FIX: The calloc system function call corrupts the heap memory on a Windows Server 2003 R2-based computer that has Utilities and SDK for Subsystem for UNIX-Based Applications installed

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You have a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2-based computer that has Utilities and Software Development Kit (SDK) for UNIX-based Applications installed. On this computer, you call the calloc function in the Libc.a library. In this scenario, an access violation error occurs. Additionally, the calloc function tries to initialize more heap memory than is allocated.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs because a call to the calloc function corrupts the heap memory.
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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.

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, submit a request to 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 Utilities and SDK for UNIX-based Applications for Windows Server 2003 R2 installed on the computer. For more information about how to obtain Utilities and SDK for UNIX-based Applications, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/R2/unixcomponents/webinstall.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/R2/unixcomponents/webinstall.mspx)

Restart requirement

You do not have to 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.
x64 versions
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File nameFile sizeDateTime
Usr_lib_libc.a30,83931-Jan-200714:05
Usr_lib_libcsafe.a69,20031-Jan-200714:05
Usr_lib_x86_libc.a30,83931-Jan-200714:11
Usr_lib_x86_libc.so.5.212,69031-Jan-200714:12
Usr_lib_x86_libcsafe.a53,35531-Jan-200714:12
32-bit x86 versions
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File nameFile sizeDateTime
Usr_lib_amd64_libcsafe.a69,20031-Jan-200714:33
Usr_lib_libc.a30,83931-Jan-200714:27
Usr_lib_libc.so.5.212,69031-Jan-200714:33
Usr_lib_libcsafe.a53,35531-Jan-200714:27
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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the following code to override the calloc function in the Libsafe.a library that initializes the allocated memory. 
void *calloc(size_t num, size_t size)
{
void *retp;

retp = malloc(size *= num);
if (NULL != retp) {
bzero(retp, size);
}

return retp;
}
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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, 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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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition (32-Bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (32-Bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 Edition
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Keywords: 
kbautohotfix kbfix kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbpubtypekc KB929140
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