The Microsoft Exchange message transfer agent stops responding, and multiple event ID messages are logged in Exchange Server 2003

On a server that is running Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, the Microsoft Exchange message transfer agent (MTA) stops responding. Additionally, the following event ID messages may be logged in the Application log.

Event ID message 1

Event ID : 9404
Raw Event ID : 9404
Record Nr. : 31949878
Category : Field Engineering
Source : MSExchangeMTA
Type : Error
Description : A fatal MTA error has occurred. An illegal buffer request has been made. The request was for 27 headers and 27 elements. [BASE TCP/IP DRVR 10] (16)

Event ID message 2

Event ID : 9405
Raw Event ID : 9405
Record Nr. : 31949879
Category : Field Engineering
Source : MSExchangeMTA Type : Error
Description : An unexpected error has occurred which may cause the MTA to terminate.
Error: Exception 0xe002000b occurred at Address 0x77e55dea. [BASE TCP/IP DRVR 10] (16)

Event ID message 3

Event ID : 1000
Raw Event ID : 1000
Record Nr. : 31949880
Category : Application Crashing Events
Source : Application Error
Type : Error
Description : Faulting application emsmta.exe, version 6.5.7651.40, faulting module kernel32.dll, version 5.2.3790.1830, fault address 0x00015dea.
Data: 41 70 70 6C 69 63 61 74 69 6F 6E 20 46 61 69 6C Application Fail 75 72 65 20 20 65 6D 73 6D 74 61 2E 65 78 65 20 ure emsmta.exe 36 2E 35 2E 37 36 35 31 2E 34 30 20 69 6E 20 6B 6.5.7651.40 in k 65 72 6E 65 6C 33 32 2E 64 6C 6C 20 35 2E 32 2E ernel32.dll 5.2. 33 3

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

Because of file dependencies, this hotfix requires Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

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

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix. However, the Microsoft Exchange MTA Stacks service will be automatically restarted when you install this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

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.