XADM: HTML in Subject Field Is Not Converted Properly When Message Is Forwarded

ID: Q235607

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

If you send a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) message that contains special HTML characters in the Subject field, and then a rule is applied that forwards the message, the Subject field in the copy of the original message that is included in the forwarded message may not be displayed properly. The HTML characters may be displayed as HTML, instead of being displayed as text. Note that this problem occurs if the message is sent using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) or sent using the Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) with the HTML encapsulated as Rich Text Format (RTF).

For example, if you send an HTML message that contains &lt in the Subject field, the Subject field in the copy of the original message contains the less than character (<) instead of &lt.


CAUSE

This problem occurs when the forwarded message contains the \fromhtml1 tag in the RTF header. When this tag exists, Exchange Server assumes that all HTML entities have already been encapsulated as RTF. Therefore, it does not convert the HTML characters from the Subject field of the original message (which were added to the original RTF when the message was forwarded) into entities, which causes the characters to be displayed incorrectly.


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

Component: Information Store

File name Version
Store.exe 5.5.2637.0


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


STATUS

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


MORE INFORMATION

This behavior represents a potential security concern, because the security features enabled on most e-mail servers do not check the Subject field as closely as the rest of the message. If malicious HTML code in the Subject field of the original message is not detected, the code may be run after the original message is forwarded by a rule and the Subject field is included in the forwarded message.

Additional query words: eml 


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

Last Reviewed: July 12, 1999