FIX: You may receive a "security exception" error message on a Windows 2000-based or Windows Server 2003-based computer that is running an ASP.NET 2.0-based application

Consider the following scenario:

• A Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0-based application is running on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based or Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer.
• Partially trusted assemblies try to access the PrivateKey or PublicKey properties of a System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate2 object on the computer.
• The System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate2 object has been generated from a .pfx file.

In this scenario, you may receive a "security exception" error message.

When a System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate2 object is generated from a .pfx file, the CryptoAPI generates a random key container for the certificate. When partially trusted code tries to access the PrivateKey or PublicKey properties of a System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate2 object, a KeyContainerPermission demand is generated. However, partially trusted code does not have KeyContainer permission. Therefore, the "security exception" error message occurs.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next .NET Framework 2.0 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

To install this hotfix, you must be running the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this software update.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other software updates.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: