Exchange 2003 SMTP Server Hacked with Auto sending of junk mails.
Help! I am currently facing a huge problems with my Exchange SP-2 2003. Windows 2003 SBS and P-4-3ghz, 1GB RAM, 400GB harddrive.
The Exchange SMTP queue keeps trying to send out junk mails. The Virtual SMTP Server keeps growing in its number of mails like every 100 per second. it used to be 1000 per second until i did the following.
1) Disabled Outgoing SMTP server on router. Isolate external intrusion or spam relay
2) Shutdown all systems in the office.
3) Stop outbound emails: to enable further troubleshooting, otherwise the system will hang as the SMTP will take up too much memory and crash the server
4) Stop Network Interface. The only network interface. To see if its internal or external factors causing the problem.
5) Stop Exchange Services
6) Deleted SMTP virtual server (reduced 1000 per seconds to 100 per seconds)
7) run Ewido scan to remove any known malwares (none found)
8) Updated Trend Micro officescan AV to latest virus def (it was already updated)
9) Netstat doesn’t show any strange behaviours (no known external ports)
10) Went into IIS to stop all running services (freed up more memory)
Running services that takes up most CPU Processes are:
1) Ewido (malware scanner)
2) PBE server (APC UPS Server)
3) DAVCDATA (IIS component)
4) LSASS, Explorer, Taskmgr, SVCHost, InetInfo
Please help?
The Exchange SMTP queue keeps trying to send out junk mails. The Virtual SMTP Server keeps growing in its number of mails like every 100 per second. it used to be 1000 per second until i did the following.
1) Disabled Outgoing SMTP server on router. Isolate external intrusion or spam relay
2) Shutdown all systems in the office.
3) Stop outbound emails: to enable further troubleshooting, otherwise the system will hang as the SMTP will take up too much memory and crash the server
4) Stop Network Interface. The only network interface. To see if its internal or external factors causing the problem.
5) Stop Exchange Services
6) Deleted SMTP virtual server (reduced 1000 per seconds to 100 per seconds)
7) run Ewido scan to remove any known malwares (none found)
8) Updated Trend Micro officescan AV to latest virus def (it was already updated)
9) Netstat doesn’t show any strange behaviours (no known external ports)
10) Went into IIS to stop all running services (freed up more memory)
Running services that takes up most CPU Processes are:
1) Ewido (malware scanner)
2) PBE server (APC UPS Server)
3) DAVCDATA (IIS component)
4) LSASS, Explorer, Taskmgr, SVCHost, InetInfo
Please help?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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That's great. Did you discover the source of the problem. Was it the server being hacked or an open realy, or was it one of the workstations?
ASKER
Its not workstation as I have sealed the ports to the server.
However, am still figuring out how did the attack came about.
You have any ideas?
I actually use a web based server, use exchange as internal mail resolution and collaboration tool, so i have a pop downloader working and send mails through smarthost through my ISP.
mails are still in queue now. am going to delete them now.
However, am still figuring out how did the attack came about.
You have any ideas?
I actually use a web based server, use exchange as internal mail resolution and collaboration tool, so i have a pop downloader working and send mails through smarthost through my ISP.
mails are still in queue now. am going to delete them now.
Before deleting all the mails, you may want to check the section in that above web page titled "Find the Problem".
It covers the most common reasons for this problem, e.g. open relay, NDR attack etc.
It covers the most common reasons for this problem, e.g. open relay, NDR attack etc.
ASKER
I think the problem is related to both OPen relay and NDR. now it has stabilized and has got about 80,000 mails to delete. Hopefully all will be well by end of today. If this is solved, I shall close this case and pass you the points.
Excellent. Thanks for the update.
ASKER
Sorry. I tried both checks. I disabled the smtp services, and the mails all get deleted. But after I turned it on again, the same problem repeated itself.
I have followed instructions for Tarpit protection,
I have checked and made sure that no open relay is enabled as instructed by Microsoft,
and I made sure that NDR attack is taken care of as well.
Still, when i turned on the SMTP server, the whole problem re-surfaced! Strange... Any help?
I have followed instructions for Tarpit protection,
I have checked and made sure that no open relay is enabled as instructed by Microsoft,
and I made sure that NDR attack is taken care of as well.
Still, when i turned on the SMTP server, the whole problem re-surfaced! Strange... Any help?
ASKER
I found the problem. Realized that its due to the queue folder that is jammed up. thats why the mails keep coming in. I found some good references which points to this problem.
Clearing the NDR emails that are stuck in the queue:
In Exchange Server 2003 or in Exchange 2000 Server, the Exchange Server queues are filled with many non-delivery reports from the postmaster account because of a reverse non-delivery report attack
Location of the stuck mails in the folder C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\Mailroot\vs
Just delete off all mails stuck in the folder. The no. of files here can amount up to 20k. For us, the first time encounter with this problem, the number of emails amounted up to 26-thousanrd.
Clearing the NDR emails that are stuck in the queue:
In Exchange Server 2003 or in Exchange 2000 Server, the Exchange Server queues are filled with many non-delivery reports from the postmaster account because of a reverse non-delivery report attack
Location of the stuck mails in the folder C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\Mailroot\vs
Just delete off all mails stuck in the folder. The no. of files here can amount up to 20k. For us, the first time encounter with this problem, the number of emails amounted up to 26-thousanrd.
ASKER
points will be rewarded to R-K because he is prompt in his response. and highlighted impt security factors that need to be considered.
Though he didnt actually solve the problem, i just want to thank and appreciate him for the effort he puts in.
Thanks for your help!
Though he didnt actually solve the problem, i just want to thank and appreciate him for the effort he puts in.
Thanks for your help!
ASKER
http://www.amset.info/exchange/spam-cleanup.asp
I think this solves the problem. will try and monitor.