Risk
High
Date Discovered
May 9, 2003
Description
Internet Explorer is reported to be vulnerable to a zone bypass issue. Allegedly, if Internet Explorer attempts to open a web page containing numerous 'file://' requests each contained in a separate Iframe, the requested file will eventually be executed in the Local Computer zone.
Technologies Affected
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1
Recommendations
Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
Always run Internet Explorer as an unprivileged user. This will limit the consequences of successful exploitation of this and other latent vulnerabilities. Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can be accomplished by following a link to a malicious website or by viewing maliciously crafted HTML email. Caution should be exercised in accepting any communications from unknown or untrusted users.
The vendor has released a cumulative patch to address this issue:
Credits
Discovery is credited to "Marek Bialoglowy" .
Copyright © Symantec Corporation.Permission to redistribute this alert electronically is granted as long as it is not edited in any way unless authorized by Symantec Security Response. Reprinting the whole or part of this alert in any medium other than electronically requires permission from
secure@symantec.com.
Disclaimer
The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
Symantec, Symantec products, Symantec Security Response, and
secure@symantec.com are registered trademarks of Symantec Corp. and/or affiliated companies in the United States and other countries. All other registered and unregistered trademarks represented in this document are the sole property of their respective companies/owners.
