XFOR: SMTP Address Generator May Include Multiple Consecutive Periods in the Address

ID: Q230331

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

You can modify the proxy address generated by the system in Microsoft Exchange Server. If you set your site SMTP proxy address to the following:

%g.%1i.%s@domain_name.com
an illegal SMTP address may be generated if there is no middle initial on the mailbox. The generated address will contain a consecutive multiple period (.) sequence. For example, if the name on the mailbox is John Doe, the generated address is:
John..Doe@domain_name.com


CAUSE

The logic in the address generator does not look to see if a consecutive multiple period sequence is included in the address.


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 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
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

Component: SMTP

File name Version
Inproxy.dll 5.5.2596.0


NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support


WORKAROUND

Set the address to %g.%i.%s@domain_name.com. The drawback is if a full middle name is entered, then the full middle name will be included in the SMTP address.


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5.

Additional query words: 


Keywords          : exc55 
Version           : winnt:5.5
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: August 2, 1999