XCON: MTA Stops Processing While Handling Incoming Mail

• Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 5.5, 5.5 SP1, 5.5 SP2, 5.5 SP3

SYMPTOMS

Although the EMSMTA process is still apparently running, no work is being done, and no events are logged. If you stop and restart the message transfer agent (MTA), you may receive the following error message:

Windows NT Error 1067

CAUSE

The MTA has received a message from a foreign MTA that contains a trace record with a zero-length Arrival Time attribute. Processing this illegally-formed attribute causes internal context information to be overwritten.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

WORKAROUND

There is no workaround for this issue. If you create a new MTA database (MTAWIPE), it allows the MTA to start again, but the foreign MTA will resend the offending message.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

With the application of the hotfix, the MTA rejects the invalid message, logs an event, and sends a non-delivery report (NDR) back with a diagnostic of Invalid Argument.

Additional query words: hang

Keywords : exc55 exc55sp1 exc55sp2 exc55sp3
Version : winnt:5.5,5.5 SP1,5.5 SP2,5.5 SP3
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug