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Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) Object Tag Buffer Overflow Lets Remote Users Execute Arbitrary Code
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SecurityTracker Alert ID: 1006918
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CVE Reference: CAN-2003-0344
(Links to External Site)
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Updated: Jan 9 2004
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Original Entry Date: Jun 4 2003
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Impact: Execution of arbitrary code via network, User access via network
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Fix Available: Yes
Vendor Confirmed: Yes
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Version(s): 5.01, 5.5, 6.0
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Description: A vulnerability was reported in Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) in the processing of certain object tags. A remote user can cause arbitrary code to be executed by the target user's IE browser.
It is reported that a remote user can create specially crafted HTML that, when loaded by the target user, will trigger a buffer overflow
and execute arbitrary code. The code will run with the privileges of the target user.
The buffer overflow reportedly occurs
when IE attempts to determine an object's type, where a specially crafted parameter can trigger the overflow.
Microsoft has assigned
a 'Critical' severity rating to this vulnerability, except for IE on Windows Server 2003, which received a 'Moderate' rating. Microsoft
reports that Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003 runs in Enhanced Security Configuration by default, which blocks this attack.
Microsoft
credits eEye Digital Security with reporting this flaw.
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Impact: A remote user can create HTML that, when loaded by the target user, will execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the target user.
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Solution: Microsoft has issued a fix (as part of a cumulative patch), available at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/818529/default.asp
The patch can be installed on IE5.01 on Windows 2000 systems with SP3, on IE 5.5 SP2, and on IE 6.0 Gold or SP1.
Microsoft
plans to include the fix in Wndows XP SP2and Windows Server 2003 SP1.
A reboot is required after applying this patch.
This
patch supersedes the MS03-015 cumulative patch.
The Microsoft bulletin describes some important caveats regarding this path and
an updated HTML Help control described in Knowledge Base article 811630.
Microsoft has released Knowledge Base article 818529
regarding this issue, available at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;818529
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Vendor URL: www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-020.asp (Links to External Site)
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Cause: Boundary error
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Underlying OS: Windows (Any)
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Reported By: secnotif@microsoft.com
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Message History:
This archive entry has one or more follow-up message(s) listed below.
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Source Message Contents
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Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2003 11:19:07 -0700
From: secnotif@microsoft.com
Subject: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-020: Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (818529)
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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (818529)
Date: 04 June 2003
Software: Microsoft(r) Microsoft Internet Explorer(r) 5.01
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 for Windows Server 2003
Impact: Allow an attacker to execute code of their choice
Max Risk: Critical
Bulletin: MS03-020
Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletins at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-020.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-020.asp
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue:
======
This is a cumulative patch that includes the functionality of all
previously released patches for Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5 and 6.0.
In addition, it eliminates two newly discovered vulnerabilities:
- A buffer overrun vulnerability that occurs because Internet
Explorer does not properly determine an object type returned from a
web server. It could be possible for an attacker who exploited this
vulnerability to run arbitrary code on a user's system. If a user
visited an attacker's website, it would be possible for the attacker
to exploit this vulnerability without any other user action. An
attacker could also craft an HTML email that attempted to exploit
this vulnerability.
- A flaw that results because Internet Explorer does not implement
an appropriate block on a file download dialog box. It could be
possible for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability to run
arbitrary code on a user's system. If a user simply visited an
attacker's website, it would be possible for the attacker to exploit
this vulnerability without any other user action. An attacker could
also craft an HTML email that attempted to exploit this
vulnerability.
In order to exploit these flaws, the attacker would have to create a
specially formed HTML email and send it to the user. Alternatively
an attacker would have to host a malicious web site that contained a
web page designed to exploit these vulnerabilities. The attacker
would then have to persuade a user to visit that site.
As with the previous Internet Explorer cumulative patches released
with bulletins MS03-004 and MS03-015, this cumulative patch will
cause window.showHelp( ) to cease to function if you have not
applied the HTML Help update. If you have installed the updated HTML
Help control from Knowledge Base article 811630, you will still be
able to use HTML Help functionality after applying this patch.
Mitigating factors:
====================
The following mitigating factors apply to both vulnerabilities
discussed in this bulletin:
- By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003 runs in
Enhanced Security Configuration. This default configuration of
Internet Explorer blocks these attacks. If Internet Explorer
Enhanced Security Configuration has been disabled, the protections
put in place that prevent these vulnerabilities from being exploited
would be removed.
- In the Web based attack scenario, the attacker would have to host
a web site that contained a web page used to exploit these
vulnerabilities. An attacker would have no way to force users to
visit a malicious web site outside of the HTML email vector.
Instead, the attacker would need to lure them there, typically by
getting them to click on a link that would take them to the
attacker's site.
- Code that executed on the system would only run under the
privileges of the logged in user.
Risk Rating:
============
Critical
Patch Availability:
===================
- A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the
Security Bulletins at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms03-020.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-020.asp
for information on obtaining this patch.
Acknowledgment:
===============
- eEye Digital Security (http://www.eeye.com/)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.
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