Microsoft KB Archive/317727

= MS02-005: Patch Is Available for the Application Invocation via Content-Type Field Vulnerability =

Article ID: 317727

Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0

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This article was previously published under Q317727



SYMPTOMS
A vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer that could allow an attacker to use a Web page to start one of the programs that is installed on a user's computer, in conjunction with a file that the attacker supplied. In the worst case, this could allow the attacker to take actions such as creating, modifying, or deleting data files; communicating with Web sites; or reformatting the hard disk.

The actual actions that could be taken by exploiting this vulnerability depend on which programs are installed on the user's computer, the level of security that each program provides, and how the programs are configured. However, the attacker would have no way to determine which programs are installed, nor would the vulnerability provide any way to install additional programs or to reconfigure the programs that are already installed.



CAUSE
This vulnerability exists because of a flaw in the way in which Internet Explorer processes the Content-Type HTML header field. This flaw could allow a Web page to specify that a particular programs should be used to process a file that is downloaded from the Web site, and that it is not necessary to request user permission before doing so.



RESOLUTION

 * Internet Explorer 6
 * Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
 * Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
 * Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 2 on Windows 2000 only

Internet Explorer 6
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer 6. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

328548 How to Obtain the Latest Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack

The update for this problem is included in the &quot;February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer.&quot; For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316059 MS02-005: February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that you determine are at risk of attack. Evaluate your computer's physical accessibility, network and Internet connectivity, and other factors to determine the degree of risk to your computer. See the associated Microsoft Security Bulletin to help determine the degree of risk. This fix may receive additional testing. If your computer is sufficiently at risk, Microsoft recommends that you apply this fix now. Otherwise, wait for the next Internet Explorer 5.5 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the fix by following the instructions later in this article or contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The update for this problem is included in the &quot;February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer.&quot; For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316059 MS02-005: February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that you determine are at risk of attack. Evaluate your computer's physical accessibility, network and Internet connectivity, and other factors to determine the degree of risk to your computer. See the associated Microsoft Security Bulletin to help determine the degree of risk. This fix may receive additional testing. If your computer is sufficiently at risk, Microsoft recommends that you apply this fix now. Otherwise, wait for the next Internet Explorer 5.5 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the fix by following the instructions later in this article or contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The update for this problem is included in the &quot;February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer.&quot; For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316059 MS02-005: February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 2 on Windows 2000 Only
The update for this problem is included in the &quot;February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer.&quot; For additional information about how to obtain this patch, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316059 MS02-005: February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

This update is also available in Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 3 for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267954 How to Obtain the Latest Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack



Internet Explorer 6
Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1.

Internet Explorer 5.5
Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5.

Internet Explorer 5.01
Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 3.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vulnerability, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms02-005.asp

For additional information about the &quot;February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer&quot;, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316059 MS02-005: February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer

Additional query words: security_patch

Keywords: kbfix kbie501presp3fix kbsecvulnerability kbie600presp1fix kbwin2000sp3fix kbsecurity kbie600sp1fix kbprb kbie550presp3fix kbsecbulletin kbsechack KB317727

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