DOCUMENT:Q274613 08-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Passflt.dll Does Not Enforce 6-Character Minimum Password Length PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::4.0,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:MSGRAPH kbWinNT400PreSP7Fixkbfixlist ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Passflt.dll is used by administrators to ensure that strong passwords are being used on the domain. However, Passflt.dll is used in conjunction with the domain policy for password length. If the domain policy allows for a blank password (that is, a zero-length password) and a user changes his or her password to, for example, "Mm1", the password change succeeds. This occurs because the password length is longer than 0 (zero), an uppercase and a lowercase character was used, and a non-alphabetical character was used as well. CAUSE ===== Passflt.dll does not check for a minimum length of 6 characters. RESOLUTION ========== Passflt.dll has been modified to check the length of the password. A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. 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: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal 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 should have the following file attributes or later: Date Time Version Size File name ------------------------------------------------------- 9/27/2000 8:22PM 4.0.1381.7086 8 KB Passflt.dll WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, change the domain policy not to allow passwords of less than 6 characters. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. Additional query words: passflt dll ====================================================================== Keywords : MSGRAPH kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix kbfixlist Component : DirectoryServices Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp5 kbWinNTW400sp4 kbWinNTW400sp3 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400sp5 kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400sp6 kbWinNTS400sp5 kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400sp3 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTW400sp6 kbWinNTSEnt400SP6a kbWinNTW400SP6a Version : :4.0,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a Hardware : x86 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.