Microsoft KB Archive/941308

= Users cannot access resources that are federated by ADFS together with a third-party identity management system =

Article ID: 941308

Article Last Modified on 10/12/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (32-Bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition (32-Bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:
 * You implement Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) on a Windows Server 2003 R2-based server to federate some resources.
 * You implement a third-party identity management system for the account partner.

However, when users try to access the resources that are federated by ADFS, the access fails.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because the credential verification fails.

When a user accesses resources that are federated by ADFS, the system uses the SignedXML parser to verify the user credential. The SignedXML parser reads the Reference element inside the SignedInfo element, and then the SignedXML parser writes the Reference element back. When the SignedXML parser writes the Reference element, the parser saves white spaces as they are read from the Reference element. However, in a mixed federation environment, the SignedXML parser misplaces a white space. Therefore, the credential verification fails.



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 be running Windows Server 2003 R2 that has Active Directory Federation Services installed.

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 R2 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
Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) is a component of Windows Server 2003 R2. For more information, visit the following Microsoft TechNet Web site:

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/library/050392bc-c8f5-48b3-b30e-bf310399ff5d1033.mspx

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

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbexpertiseinter kbwinserv2003postsp2fix kbbug kbfix kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbpubtypekc KB941308

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