Microsoft Internet Explorer showHelp() zone bypass
| ie-showhelp-zone-bypass (11259) |  Medium Risk |
Description:
Microsoft Internet Explorer could allow a remote attacker to bypass the cross-domain security model, caused by a vulnerability in the Windows showHelp() method. The showHelp() method is used to display HTML help files in Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer fails to properly verify the origin domain when the showHelp() method is used within a Web page. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious Web page that invokes the showHelp() method, which would allow the attacker to bypass security zone restrictions and gain access to resources on the victim's computer, once the page is viewed. An attacker could use this vulnerability to read any known file on the victim's computer, gain access to the victim's cookies, invoke known executables on the victim's computer, or load malicious executables to the victim's computer.
Consequences:
Gain Access
Remedy:
Apply the appropriate patch for your system, as listed in the latest Microsoft Security Bulletin. See References.
— OR —
Use Microsoft Automatic Update if it is supported by your operating system. The original bulletin issued by Microsoft has been superseded.
References:
- BugTraq Mailing List, Thu Feb 06 2003 - 06:02:56 CST: showHelp("file:") disables security in IE - Sandblad advisory #11.
- CIAC Information Bulletin N-038: Microsoft Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer.
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-004: Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (810847).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-015: Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (813489).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-020: Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (818529).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-032: Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (822925).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-040: Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (828750).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-048: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (824145).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-004: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (832894).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-025: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (867801).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-038: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (834707).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-040: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (889293).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-014: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (867282).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-020: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (890923).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-025: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (883939).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-038: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (896727).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-052: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (896688).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-054: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (905915).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-004: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (910620).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-013: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (912812).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-021: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (916281).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-042: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (918899).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-067: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (922760).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-072: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (925454).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-016: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (928090).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-027: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (931768).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-033: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (933566).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-045: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (937143).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-057: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (939653).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-069: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (942615).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-010: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (944533).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-024: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (947864).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-031: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (950759).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-045: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (953838).
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-058: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (956390).
- BID-11388: Microsoft Internet Explorer Unspecified showHelp Zone Bypass Vulnerability
- BID-6780: Microsoft Internet Explorer ShowHelp Arbitrary Command Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2003-1328: The showHelp() function in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 supports certain types of pluggable protocols that allow remote attackers to bypass the cross-domain security model and execute arbitrary code, aka Improper Cross Domain Security Validation with ShowHelp functionality.
- US-CERT VU#400577: Microsoft Internet Explorer allows arbitrary local file reading via "showHelp()" function
Platforms Affected:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
Reported:
Feb 05, 2003
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