Messages from some organizations may remain in the queue folder when you enable the Sender ID filter feature in Exchange 2003

When you enable the Sender ID filter feature in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, messages from some organizations may remain in the queue folder. If you check the current session of the SMTP virtual server on the Exchange server, you may see an abnormal number of open connections for certain domains.

This issue occurs if a domain in an organization has a corrupted Sender of Policy Framework (SPF) record on the DNS server. The Sender ID validation process queries the DNS server for SPF records. If an SPF record is corrupted, the Sender ID validation process stops responding until the SMTP session times out. While the Exchange server waits for the SMTP session to time-out, the Exchange server cannot perform the optional configuration item that is defined in Exchange System Manager.

To resolve this problem, apply this hotfix. After you apply this hotfix, the Exchange server no longer waits for the SMTP session to time-out when the Sender ID validation process encounters a corrupted SPF record. Instead, the Sender ID validation process exits immediately if it encounters a corrupted SPF record. Then, the Exchange server performs the optional configuration item that is defined in Exchange System Manager.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

Because of file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 to be installed on the server. For more information about how to obtain the latest service packs for Exchange Server 2003, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

When you apply this hotfix, the IIS Admin service and all dependent services will be restarted.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

To enable the Sender ID filter feature on a virtual server, follow these steps:

1. Start Exchange System Manager.
2. Right-click the SMTP virtual server for which you want to enable the feature, and then click Properties.
3. On the General tab, click Advanced.
4. In the Address list, click the IP address to which you want to apply the sender filter, and then click Edit.
5. Click to select the Apply Sender ID Filter check box, and then click OK two times.

For more information about SPF records, visit the following Microsoft Web site: