rdesktop 1.8.6 not connecting to Windows XP

[David...@dpi.vic.gov.au]

I am unable to connect to PCs running Windows XP using rdesktop 1.8.6, although there is no problem using RDP when running Windows 10 on the same hardware.

Compiling rdesktop with the '--with-debug' option and then attempting to connect to a Windows XP RDP server gives the output at https://pastebin.com/CpkzjfKi

[Pierre Ossman]

Looks like there is some issue with the protocol handling somewhere.

Unfortunately XP support isn't really prioritized by us as it is EOL
since quite some time. :/

If anyone has a patch though we'll be glad to have a look.

Regards
--
Pierre Ossman Software Development
Cendio AB https://cendio.com
Teknikringen 8 https://twitter.com/ThinLinc
583 30 Linköping https://facebook.com/ThinLinc
Phone: +46-13-214600

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

[David...@dpi.vic.gov.au]

For me, rdesktop 1.8.4 works, but rdesktop 1.8.5 and rdesktop 1.8.6 do not.

My best guess is the change from openssl to nettle for cipher handling.

XP support may not be prioritized, but neither should it be broken.

Even Microsoft accepts that there is an on-going and large install base of Windows XP, as evidenced by the patch release on May 14 2019 for CVE-2019-0708.

Like others, I am in a cleft stick. For me, I need to access instrument control software that runs in Windows XP but not later versions, but still want the enhanced security of versions of rdesktop > 1.8.4.