shell - Internet Explorer crashes when MSXML2::IXMLDOMDocumentPtr -> Release() is called

Question

I am creating a shell extension in C++ (ATL 9) using Visual Studio 2008. The Shell Extension creates a global MSXML2::IXMLDOMDocumentPtr object m_XmlDoc in the module class. This m_XmlDoc is then used in the extension by all classes to read xml document.

The problem that I am facing is with Internet explorer. When the Shell Extension is active and I open/close internet explorer, I get a debug dialog and IE crashes. The error message says "Unhandled exception at 0x6aac30f1 in iexplore.exe: 0xC0000005: Access violation reading location 0x03050970." When I click "break" on the message window, It takes me to the "Release" method of COM Smart Pointer and the error seems to be on m_pInterface->Release();

This call was made from Module's destructor and also the value of m_pInterface is not NULL. I think maybe internet explorer is using the XML DOM and the call to Release creates some problem in it.

MSXML2::IXMLDOMDocumentPtr m_XmlDoc;

In _AtlModule.Init() method
    ::CoInitialize(NULL);
    m_XmlDoc.CreateInstance(MSXML2::CLSID_DOMDocument40);

dllMain code:

extern "C" BOOL WINAPI DllMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, DWORD dwReason, LPVOID lpReserved)
{
    ::CoInitialize(NULL);
    if (dwReason == DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH)
    {
        _AtlModule.Init();  
        CreateImageLists();
        ::DisableThreadLibraryCalls(hInstance);
    }

    hInstance;
    return _AtlModule.DllMain(dwReason, lpReserved); 
}

Answer 1

the use of DisableThreadLibraryCalls is discouraged, you seen it?