Vulnerability Note VU#462451

Microsoft Internet Explorer allows read access to local files via incorrect VBScript handling

Overview

A vulnerability in the cross-domain frame security model of Internet Explorer may allow remote attackers to view the contents of local files when a user views a malicious web page.

I. Description

There's a vulnerability in the cross-domain frame security model of Internet Explorer that may allow malicious script to access the content in other frames. Internet Explorer versions 5.01, 5.5 and 6.0 have this vulnerability. By loading the contents of a local file into another frame, a malicious web page author may be able to view the contents of the file.

II. Impact

The contents of local files may be exposed to a malicious web page author when a user views the web page in Internet Explorer. The vulnerability may also allow the malicious web page author to view subsequent pages opened by the user.

III. Solution

Apply a Patch

Microsoft has published patches correcting this vulnerability. The patches are listed in their advisory at:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-009.asp

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Notified	Date Updated
Microsoft Corporation	Vulnerable	16-Jul-2002

References

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-009.asp
http://w3.ivy.hu/
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4158

Credit

Thanks to Zentai Peter Aron of Ivy Hungary Ltd for discovering this vulnerability.

This document was written by Cory F. Cohen.

Other Information

Date Public:	2002-02-21
Date First Published:	2002-09-27
Date Last Updated:	2002-09-27
CERT Advisory:
CVE-ID(s):	CAN-2002-0052
NVD-ID(s):	CAN-2002-0052
US-CERT Technical Alerts:
Metric:	3.37
Document Revision:	8

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