Article ID: 317726
Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007
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
This article was previously published under Q317726
SYMPTOMS
A vulnerability in Internet Explorer exists that could allow an attacker to view files on the computer of another user. The vulnerability could be exploited by using either of two scenarios. An attacker could send a specially formatted HTML e-mail message to another user. When the user opened the message, it would send a file's contents to the attacker. Or, the attacker could set up a Web site that, when it was visited by a user, would read a file on the user's computer.
There a number of significant mitigating factors associated with this vulnerability:
- It could be used only to read files. It could not be used to create, change, delete, or run files.
- The attacker would need to know the name and location of the file on the user's computer.
- The vulnerability could be used to read only files that are not locked by the operating system. Some files that would be of interest to an attacker would therefore be unavailable even by using this vulnerability.
- The email-message-borne attack scenario would be blocked if the user were using any of the following programs: Microsoft Outlook 97, Microsoft Outlook 98, or Microsoft Outlook 2000 with the Outlook Email Security Update installed; Microsoft Outlook 2002; or Microsoft Outlook Express 6.
- The Web-based attack scenario could be blocked by judicious use of the Internet Explorer security zones mechanism.
CAUSE
This vulnerability exists because the security checks in the GetObject function can be "spoofed" if the function is called by using an argument that is malformed in a particular way. This flaw could allow a Web page to open and read files on a user's computer.
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
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 6 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:
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 "February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." 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:
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 "February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." 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:
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 "February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." 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 "February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer." 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
STATUS
Internet Explorer 6
Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.
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:
For additional information about the "February 11, 2002, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer", 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: kbdownload kbie501presp3fix kbsecvulnerability kbie600presp1fix kbwin2000sp3fix kbsecurity kbie600sp1fix kbprb kbie550presp3fix kbsecbulletin kbsechack KB317726
