Microsoft KB Archive/945344

= The &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute of a self-signed certificate has a negative value when you call the CertCreateSelfSignCertificate function to create the certificate in Windows Server 2003 =

Article ID: 945344

Article Last Modified on 12/10/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems

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SYMPTOMS
When you call the CertCreateSelfSignCertificate function to create a self-signed certificate in Windows Server 2003, the &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute of the certificate has a negative value. This does not comply with the Request for Comments (RFC) 3280 specifications. When this problem occurs, some applications may experience problems if these applications do not expect a negative serial number.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because the implementation of the CertCreateSelfSignCertificate function follows the RFC 2459 specifications instead of the RFC 3280 specifications.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now 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 Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or 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. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed on the computer. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

Restart requirement
You must restart the computer after you apply 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.

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
Another hotfix resolves the same problem in Windows XP. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

945342 The &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute of a certificate may be a negative value when you create a self-signed certificate in Windows XP

The &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute according to the RFC 3280 specifications
The RFC 3280 specifications require that the &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute be a positive integer that is assigned by the certification authority (CA). The &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute must be unique for each certificate that is assigned by a particular CA.

The &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute according to the RFC 2459 specifications
The RFC 2459 specifications require that the &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute be an integer that is assigned by the CA. The &quot;Serial number&quot; attribute must be unique for each certificate that is assigned by a particular CA.

