A member of the Power Users group may be able to gain administrator rights and permissions in Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, or Windows XP (825069)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2002
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

SYMPTOMS

A member of the Power Users group may be able to gain additional rights and permissions on your computer, and may be able to gain complete administrative credentials. A member of the Power Users group may also be able to expose your computer to other security risks, such as running a virus or running a Trojan horse program.

CAUSE

By default, the rights and permissions that are granted to the Power Users group include those rights and permissions that are required to allow members of the Power Users group to modify computer-wide settings, to install drivers, and to run (or install) non-certified programs. For example, a member of the Power Users group could install a malicious program or a DLL, and then cause the administrator or a system service to run the malicious program or the DLL. By using this technique or other techniques, the member of the Power Users group may be able to gain additional rights and permissions on your computer, including complete administrative credentials.

RESOLUTION

To help prevent this problem, use these methods:
  • Do not use the Power Users group.
  • Deploy certified Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows Server 2003 programs in your enterprise. Programs that are certified for Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 are written to avoid requiring unnecessary access or administrator-level credentials.

MORE INFORMATION

The Power Users group is a built-in local group that primarily provides backward compatibility for running non-certified (or "legacy") programs. However, members of the Power Users group can also change COM object registrations, change file associations, change Start menu shortcuts, and install drivers for hardware devices. For additional information about the default rights and permissions that are granted to members of the Power Users group, visit the following Microsoft Web sites.

Privileges

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/fa01a57a-a0ef-4cb9-af9a-f30182a25bf71033.mspx

Logon rights

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/244d92f3-7466-47ec-aee0-9723fc75c7961033.mspx

For additional information about the Microsoft Certified for Windows program, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/partners/isvs/cfw.mspx

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/27/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB825069
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