28000 new folders appeared

[Headmaster]

Hello

We set up a Linux/Samba fileserver as a PDC for a client. They called this morning to see why 28000 folders got created in one of the shares on the server. My first thought was a virus, but Norton thought differently when they scanned the machine.

Here's the variables:

-The computer that created all of the folders is an XP PRO box
-The folders are just random characters for names
-I guess their was about 28000 of them
-Nothing was in each folder

Has anybody seen this behavior before? A virus would explain this completely, but unfortunately I may not be able to blame this one on a virus. Always been my cop-out in the past!!

HA
Thanks for the replies
Scott

 

[LeeMason]

I have had exactly the same problem. About 28000 directories being created in a Samba shared area. They were in the format of a hex number (0-f) of various lengths (from 1 upward).

It has now happened twice.

The last directory created was one called "temp" with two subdirectories called "ext" with four numbers.

I think that this has been caused by a Windows XP service pack but have been unable to reproduce it under controller conditions yet. I will let you know if I managed to conclusively prove it.

Lee.

 

[Headmaster]

It hasn't happened again to this machine, hope it doesn't. Thanks for replying. I'll have to look into this!