FIPS 140-1 Validation for Cryptographic Service Providers

Microsoft Cryptography Service Providers (CSPs) do not retain Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-1 validations.

Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

• http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=E396D059-E402-46EF-B095-A74399E25737&displaylang=en/ (http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/) -or-
  
  
• 152734  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/152734/EN-US/ ) how to obtain the latest windows nt 4.0 service pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition.

This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6.

FIPS is a U.S. Government standard that provides a benchmark for implementing cryptographic software. It specifies the best practices for implementing cryptoalgorithms, handling key material and data buffers, and working with the operating system. Software vendors submit their products to an evaluation process to demonstrate their implementation of this standard. Other governmental and prominent financial institutions are also beginning to require the FIPS 140-1 validation.

The following four CSPs are updated in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6:

• Rsabase.dll: Microsoft Base RSA Cryptographic Provider
• Rsaenh.dll: Microsoft Enhanced RSA Cryptographic Provider
• Dssbase.dll: Microsoft Base DSS/Diffie-Hellman Cryptographic Provider
• Dssenh.dll: Microsoft Enhanced DSS/Diffie-Hellman Cryptographic Provider

The FIPS 140-1 entries of the four CSPs can be seen on http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/140-1/1401val.htm (http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/140-1/1401val.htm) .

For the latest information about security issues related to Microsoft products, including the FIPS 140-1 validation, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: