SQL Server service pack installation may save the system administrator password in a file for SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000

During the installation of SQL Server products and service packs, the password(s) of system administrator (sa) and/or SQL Server Sevices domain account may be stored as clear text or weakly encrypted readable format in the SQL Server Setup files and/or Setup.iss file. These files can be found in the following locations / files, and should be removed when the files are no longer required.

– %Windir% folder
– %Windir%\Temp folder
– Temp folder (as specified in System Control Panel –> Advanced –> Environment Variables)
– %SystemDrive%\MSSQL7\Install\or\Tools folder
– Sqlstp.log
– Sqlsp*.log
– Setup.iss
– Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Install folder
– Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$InstanceName\Install folder
– Remsetup.ini (at %Windir%)
– remote install script (RemoteComputerName_InstanceName.iss) at %Windir% folder

Users are suggested to do the following on or after the installation of SQL Server products and service packs.
– Copy *.iss file (for unattended installation) to a security-enhanced location that is not in searchable folders.
– Use Microsoft Windows NT Security Authentication to install SQL Server products and service packs.
– Use LocalSystem account to configure the SQL Services
– After the installation of SQL Server service packs, change the SQL Server system administrator (sa) password and SQL Service domain account password.
– Use the Killpwd.exe utility to clear the setup files. Killpwd utility automates scanning for the setup files and removes the passwords from them. Killpwd can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?amp;amp;displaylang=en&familyid=7BDA4AE4-E287-4A6B-86E4-9AFDB3EA26C9&displaylang=en

References
– http://support.microsoft.com/kb/263968/en-us