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Microsoft Exchange Server fails to properly handle specially crafted SMTP extended verb requests

Vulnerability Note VU#422156

Original Release Date: 2003-10-16 | Last Revised: 2003-10-22

Overview

Microsoft Exchange fails to handle certain SMTP extended verbs correctly. In Exchange 5.5, this can lead to a denial-of-service condition. In Exchange 2000, this could permit an attacker to run arbitrary code.

Description

Microsoft Exchange is a popular collaboration product which includes extensive support for electronic mail, including support for SMTP. SMTP is a standard protocol for exchanging electronic mail over the internet. Exchange uses SMTP to communicate special handling instructions from one Exchange server to another through the use of SMTP extended verbs. Exchange fails to process some of these commands correctly. On Exchange 5.5, the failure can result in a denial of service condition, and on Exchange 2000, it could result in an attacker running arbitrary code. For more information, see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-046.

Impact

An attacked could cause a denial of service condition against Exchange 5.5 or execute arbitrary code against Exchange 2000.

Solution

Apply a patch as described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-046.

Vendor Information

422156
 

Microsoft Corporation Affected

Updated:  October 15, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

See Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-046.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.


CVSS Metrics

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References

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Microsoft for reporting this vulnerability. Microsoft has credited João Gouveia for reporting this vulnerability.

This document was written by Shawn Hernan based on information contained in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-046.

Other Information

CVE IDs: CVE-2003-0714
CERT Advisory: CA-2003-27
Severity Metric: 40.08
Date Public: 2003-10-15
Date First Published: 2003-10-16
Date Last Updated: 2003-10-22 15:34 UTC
Document Revision: 5

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