Symantec Enterprise Security Manager Network Assessment Module detects and reports this vulnerability. Click
here for the advisory released September 20, 2005.
Platforms Affected
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
Components Affected
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 SP3
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 SP2
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 SP1
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP1
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Recommendations
Block external access at the network boundary, unless service is required by external parties.
Block access to the vulnerable service at the network perimeter. Restrict external access to trusted computers and networks.
Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy a network intrusion detection sensor between the affected service and the network perimeter. Audit the logs regularly for indications of potential attacks.
Run all server processes as non-privileged users with minimal access rights.
If possible, run the SMTP service as an unprivileged user with minimal access rights. This will limit the consequences of successful exploitation of this and other latent vulnerabilities.
Implement multiple redundant layers of security.
If possible, place the vulnerable server inside the network firewall and use an SMTP gateway to relay mail to the vulnerable server. Allow the vulnerable server to accept connections only from the SMTP gateway.
Microsoft has released updates to address this issue in supported versions.
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 SP3:
Microsoft Patch Security Update for Exchange 2000 Server(KB894549)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=2A2AF17E-2E4A-4479-8AC9-B5544EA0BD66&displaylang=en
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 SP2:
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 SP1:
Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 :
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP1:
Microsoft Patch Security Update for Exchange Server 2003 SP1 (KB894549)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=35BCE74A-E84A-4035-BF18-196368F032CC&displaylang=en
Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 :
Microsoft Patch Security Update for Exchange Server 2003 (KB894549)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=97F409EB-C8D0-4C94-A67B-5945E26C9267&displaylang=en
References
Source: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-021
URL: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS05-021.mspx
Credits
Discovery is credited to Mark Dowd and Ben Layer.
Copyright (c) 2008 by Symantec Corp.
Permission to redistribute this alert electronically is granted as long as it is not edited in any way unless authorized by Symantec Security Response. Reprinting the whole or part of this alert in any medium other than electronically requires permission from secure@symantec.com.
Disclaimer
The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
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