Can't Connect to SSL-Enabled Site and/or Server Stops Responding (184321)

We strongly recommend that all users upgrade to Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 6.0 running on Microsoft Windows Server 2003. IIS 6.0 significantly increases Web infrastructure security. For more information about IIS security-related topics, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/IIS.mspx

SYMPTOMS

On a Web site that has Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) enabled, either of the following problems may occur:

The server stops responding intermittently, and attempting to browse the site causes the following message:
```
      Web Site found....waiting for reply.

						
```
This message is followed by:
```
      Unable to connect to server.

						
```
However, the World Wide Web Publishing Service appears to be running correctly; it can be stopped and started, and there are no related errors in the Event Log.

-or-
Attempting to browse the site causes:
- A message stating that a connection with the server could not be established.
  
  -or-
- The browser stops responding when you attempt to connect to the site.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, try the following (each option is described in more detail below):

Verify that the Schannel.dll file is current.
Verify that the ISAPI filter Sspifilt.dll is installed.
Remove and reinstall the certificate key.

Verify That Schannel.dll Is Current

Verify that you are you have the latest version of Schannel.dll, the PCT/SSL Security Provider, for your version of Internet Information Server (IIS).

For IIS 3.0, Schannel.dll has the following file properties:

Date: 4/30/97 or 5/1/97
Size: 128,272 bytes

For IIS 4.0, Schannel.dll has the following file properties:

Date: 11/18/97
Size: 160,840 bytes

Verify that the ISAPI Filter Sspifilt.dll Is Installed

The active copy of Sspifilt.dll should be located in the \Winnt\System32\Inetsrv directory.

For IIS 3.0:

The following registry entry should be present and include the path to the active Sspifilt.dll file:

HKEY_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\W3SVC\Parameters\Filter Dlls

For IIS 4.0:

From the Master Properties of the WWW service, on the ISAPI Filters tab, verify that there is an entry pointing to the active copy of the Sspifilt.dll file. This entry should be loaded and running (as indicated by a green up-arrow).

Remove and Reinstall Certificate Key

For Internet Information Server version 3.0 (IIS), you may want to reinstall Service Pack 3 to ensure that all files are current.
Using Key Manager, export the Certification Authority (CA) key (also known as a certificate) to a backup file.
Delete the key, then close Key Manager. When prompted to "Commit all changes now?", click Yes.
Stop and start the World Wide Web Publishing Service.
In Key Manager, import the key you backed up in Step 2 of this procedure.
Close Key Manager, being sure to again click Yes when you are prompted to "Commit all changes now?"
Stop and start the World Wide Web Publishing Service.