Security Update MS00-024 Breaks SHGetFolderPath in Shfolder.dll (303437)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
This article was previously published under Q303437

SYMPTOMS

After you install the Q259496.exe security update that is referred to in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 259496 (MS00-024), the SHGetFolderPath function in Shfolder.dll may not work correctly, and it may generate "access denied" error messages when it is called by an account that is not a member of the administrators group.

CAUSE

Because of changes that are made by the security patch, the SHGetFolderPath function does not work when it makes an Open/Write call to a key in the registry. Because the function was unable to access this key by using write access, an "access denied" error message is generated. When this happens, some third-party programs may stop working.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods that is appropriate to your situation.

Internet Explorer 6

To resolve this problem, install Internet Explorer 6 SP1. For additional information about how to obtain the latest Internet Explorer 6 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

328548 How to Obtain the Latest Service Pack for Internet Explorer 6

The English version of this fix 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
   -------------------------------------------------------
   25-Feb-2002  16:31  6.0.2714.2500  22,528  Shfolder.dll
Note The Internet Explorer 6 version of this hotfix was previously published under Q318808.

Internet Explorer 5

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows NT 4.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

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 English version of this fix 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.

If you are running Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1:
   Date           Time    Version         Size    File name     
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   July 11, 2001  02:42p  5.50.4719.1100  23,312  Shfolder.dll
If you are running Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2:
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   24-Jan-2003  14:21  5.50.4925.2300     23,312  Shfolder.dll
Note Due to file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1.

MORE INFORMATION

This problem has been resolved by changing the method in which the GetFolderPath function accesses the registry key so no "access denied" error message is generated.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/12/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbenv kberrmsg kbfix kbIE550preSP2fix KB303437
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.