Question

login failed for user sa

Asked by: scobley

I recently changed the sa password on my sql server to something more secure, after doing so I went through the various ODBC connectors on client machines that needed it (3rd party applications) and they are all working fine. But. I have an error occuring on the sql server every 3 seconds or so...

Event Type:      Failure Audit
Event Source:      MSSQLSERVER
Event Category:      (4)
Event ID:      18456
Date:            23/04/2008
Time:            13:42:50
User:            N/A
Computer:      SQLSERVER
Description:
Login failed for user 'sa'. [CLIENT: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx]
---
in the SQL log viewer I get the message - Error: 18456, Severity: 14, State: 8.
---

I have checked out the error and can see it refers to an incorrect password (state 8) but as there are a number of applications running on the "Client" how do I determine which one is saying it has the incorrect password? All appear to be working fine.

I have run a netstat -ano |find "1433" and the only process that shows as running is accessing the server and the databases fine.

Can anyone help me determine what is trying to login using the sa password incorrectly?

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Asked On
2008-04-23 at 05:52:56ID23346297
Tags

microsoft

,

sql

,

2005

Topics

SQL Server 2005

,

MS SQL Server

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: chapmandewPosted on 2008-04-23 at 05:56:44ID: 21420100

run sql profiler, include the login failure events and the application name column, it should give you an idea of where the error is coming from.

 

by: scobleyPosted on 2008-04-23 at 06:04:58ID: 21420173

ok i found the sql profiler and added application name column but how do I include the login failure events?

 

by: chapmandewPosted on 2008-04-23 at 06:06:53ID: 21420186

in the events section, select the box "Show all events"....the login failure is under the "Security Audit" group and is named "Audit Login Failed"

 

by: scobleyPosted on 2008-04-23 at 06:10:12ID: 21420221

found it - ran it and found the application causing it.

nice one.

an easy 500 points :D

I am glad to pay them to save my bacon in front of my customer :D

 

by: chapmandewPosted on 2008-04-23 at 06:18:51ID: 21420305

Yep...glad to help.

By the way, there is a TON of information available through Profiler....just it a check the next time you have a problem....lets you know everything that goes on with your server.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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