MS02-012: A Malformed Data Transfer Request May Cause the Windows SMTP Service to Stop Working

Article ID: 313450 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q313450
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SYMPTOMS

A Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) service is installed by default in the Windows 2000 Server family of products. Exchange 2000, which you can install only on Windows 2000, uses the included Windows 2000 SMTP service instead of providing its own service. Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional include an SMTP service that is not installed by default. All of these implementations contain a flaw that could allow denial-of-service attacks to be mounted against the service.

The flaw involves the manner in which the service handles a particular type of SMTP command that is used to transfer the data that constitutes an incoming e-mail message. By sending a malformed version of this command, an attacker could stop the SMTP service or severely affect the performance of the SMTP service. This could disrupt mail services on the affected computer, but would not cause the operating system itself to stop working.

Mitigating Factors

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition does not include an SMTP service, and is not affected by the vulnerability.
  • Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional do provide an SMTP service, but it is not installed by default.
  • The Windows 2000 Server family of products install the SMTP service by default. However, best practices recommend that you disable any unnecessary services. Computers on which you have disabled the SMTP service are not at risk.
  • Microsoft Exchange 5.5 is not affected by the vulnerability, even if it is installed on a Windows 2000-based server.
  • The result of an attack would be limited to disrupting the SMTP service and, depending on the server's configuration, also possibly disrupting Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) and other Internet services. However, it would not disrupt any other server functions.
  • The vulnerability would not enable an attacker to gain any privileges on the affected server, or to access users' e-mail or data.
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RESOLUTION

Windows XP Professional

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322389
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/EN-US/ )
How to Obtain the Latest Windows XP Service Pack
The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
English:
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Download
Download the Q313450 package now
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fb8e8d24-02df-445a-9f9e-125852487465&DisplayLang=en)
Release Date: February 27, 2002

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
119591
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/119591/EN-US/ )
How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services
Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date         Time   Version      Size     File name
   -----------------------------------------------------
   06-Feb-2002  17:57  6.0.2600.28  431,104  Smtpsvc.dll

Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000

Because Exchange 2000 uses the Windows 2000 SMTP service, the Windows 2000 patch eliminates the vulnerability on all Windows 2000-based computers, including computers on which Exchange 2000 is installed.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
260910
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260910/EN-US/ )
How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack
The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Collapse this imageExpand this image
Download
Download the Q313450 package now
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=427A3B0A-FF47-4684-8AA3-127EB19EB848&displaylang=en)
Release Date: February 27, 2002

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
119591
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/119591/EN-US/ )
How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services
Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. Note that this update also corrects the vulnerability that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
310669
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310669/EN-US/ )
MS02-011: An Authentication Flaw Could Allow Unauthorized Users to Be Authenticated on the SMTP Service
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   --------------------------------------------------------
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624  321,296  Aqueue.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4777  333,072  Asp.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.3649  299,792  Fscfg.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624    8,464  Ftpctrs2.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624    6,416  Ftpmib.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624    9,488  Httpmib.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624   13,584  Infoadmn.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624  246,032  Infocomm.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624   62,736  Isatq.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624   66,832  Mailmsg.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624   38,160  Ntfsdrv.dll
   04-Feb-2002  16:29  5.0.2195.4905  438,544  Smtpsvc.dll
   05-Feb-2002  11:05  5.0.2195.4624    7,440  W3ctrs.dll
NOTE: Because of file dependencies, this update requires Windows 2000 Service Pack 2
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260910)
.
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STATUS

Windows XP Professional

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows XP Professional. This problem was first corrected in Windows XP Service Pack 1.

Windows 2000

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000. This problem was first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 3.
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MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vulnerability, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms02-012.mspx
(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms02-012.mspx)
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Properties

Article ID: 313450 - Last Review: March 29, 2007 - Revision: 3.4
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Standard Edition
Keywords: 
kbappcompatibility kbbug kbfix kbsecbulletin kbsechack kbsecurity kbsecvulnerability kbsysadmin kbwin2000presp3fix kbwin2000sp3fix kbwinxpsp1fix KB313450
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