The Recipient Update Service repeatedly updates the security descriptor of a distribution list that contains hidden members in Exchange 2003

If you configure more than one instance of the Recipient Update Service for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 in the same domain to process distribution lists that contain hidden members, one or more instances of the Recipient Update Service repeatedly update several attributes of the distribution lists.

The ntSecurityDescriptor attribute and the msExchAlObjectVersion attribute of the distribution lists are updated several times an hour. This behavior may occur even when only one instance of the Recipient Update Service is scheduled to run.

Additionally, if you use the Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 Administrator program in a mixed Exchange environment to make changes to the distribution lists, the changes may not be replicated correctly after Active Directory Connector (ADC) replication occurs.

This problem occurs when you configure more than one instance of the Recipient Update Service to process distribution lists in the same domain.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Exchange Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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

This hotfix requires Exchange 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this software update.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

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 tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

For more information about the Exchange Recipient Update Service, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: