Windows Proxy fails to start on Windows Core 2008 R2

Products

• CA Privileged Access Manager - Cloakware Password Authority (PA)
• CA Privileged Access Manager (PAM)

Issue/Introduction

The CA PAM Windows Proxy installer completed successfully on a domain controller running Windows Core for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. But when we try to start the service, it stops immediately. The Windows Application Events log shows a message similar to the following:

Activation context generation failed for "C:\cspm_agent\cloakware\cspmclient\lib\cwjcafips.dll". Dependent Assembly Microsoft.VC80.CRT,processorArchitecture="x86",publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b",type="win32",version="8.0.50727.4053" could not be found. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis. 

Environment

Windows Core for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

Cause

The Windows Proxy requires the 32-bit Visual C++ Redistributables package to be installed in order to be able to make Windows API calls.

Resolution

Install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package MFC Security Update from this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=26347 . This is the 32-bit package specifically for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. If you have another Windows Core release, you may need a different version of this package. There is no need to reinstall the Windows Proxy, it should start successfully once the Redistributable package is installed.