Title: Microsoft Internet Explorer Patch Q290108 Vulnerability
Severity: HIGH
Description:
Microsoft released a patch (Q290108) which addressed an issue discussed in Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS01-020). The released patch exposes a new issue which enables an attacker to run code of his choice on a target users machine. The functionality of this patch was also integrated into Internet Explorer 6.
When a user attempts to access certain "unsafe" file types (.exe, .ocx, .vbs etc.) in IE, IE will prompt the user with three options, 1. Run this program from current location 2. Save this program to disk 3. Cancel. It should be noted that the dialog box prompt will be worded slightly differently depending on the version of IE being used.
If an attacker composed a malicious file containing script and modified the 'Content-ID' field, when browsed the user would be prompted with either of the three options. The malicious script embedded in the file would execute if the user chose to "Run this program from current location".
When the user is prompted, the filename and extension will appear in the dialog box. The modifications done to the 'Content-ID' field will determine what file extensions appear ie: .pdf, .jpg, .gif, etc.
Typically file extensions such as .pdf, .jpg, .gif, etc. are considered less of a security risk compared to .exe, .ocx etc. This vulnerability enables attackers to disguise high risk files as common less suspicious files.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to complete compromise of the host.
Affected Products:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0.1
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
- Microsoft Windows ME
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition Itanium
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition Itanium
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Home
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
References:
- Microsoft: Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS01-020)
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