Microsoft Internet Explorer domain URL spoofing

ie-domain-url-spoofing (13935)

Medium Risk

Description:

Microsoft Internet Explorer could allow a remote attacker to spoof a trusted Web page by altering the URL that is displayed in the Internet Explorer address bar. A remote attacker could add a 0x01 character after the ampersand (@) in (http://user@domain), which would cause only part of the URL to be displayed in the address bar. An attacker could use this vulnerability to gain sensitive information from unsuspecting users, if they could be convinced to visit the spoofed site.

Note: Reportedly, Opera is also affected by this vulnerability

Consequences:

Obtain Information

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 The original bulletin issued by Microsoft has been superseded.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, Mon Dec 22 2003 - 18:27:09 CST: Re: Internet Explorer URL parsing vulnerability.
• BugTraq Mailing List, Tue Dec 09 2003 - 08:44:16 CST: Internet Explorer URL parsing vulnerability.
• BugTraq Mailing List, Tue Dec 09 2003 - 13:34:34 CST: Re: Internet Explorer URL parsing vulnerability.
• CIAC Information Bulletin O-068: Microsoft Internet Explorer Cumulative Patch [Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-004].
• Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 200351: INFO: URL Syntax for Authentication Without Dialog Prompt.
• Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 834489: Microsoft plans to release a software update that modifies the default behavior of Internet Explorer for handling user information in HTTP and HTTPS URLs.
• Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 833786: Steps that you can take to help identify and to help protect yourself from deceptive (spoofed) Web sites.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-004: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (832894).
• 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-9182: Multiple Browser URI Display Obfuscation Weakness
• BID-9281: Opera Browser URI Display Obfuscation Weakness
• CVE-2003-1025: Internet Explorer 5.01 through 6 SP1 allows remote attackers to spoof the domain of a URL via a %01 character before an @ sign in the user@domain portion of the URL, which hides the rest of the URL, including the real site, in the address bar, aka the Improper URL Canonicalization Vulnerability.
• US-CERT VU#652278: Microsoft Internet Explorer does not properly display URLs

Platforms Affected:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP2
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP3
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
• Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3
• Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server x64
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server
• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a Server
• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6 Server
• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a Workstation
• Microsoft Windows XP 2003 x64
• Microsoft Windows XP x64
• Microsoft Windows XP SP1
• Microsoft Windows XP SP1 x64
• Opera Opera Browser 6.06

Reported:

Dec 09, 2003

The information within this database may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. In no event shall the author/distributor (IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force) be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information.

For corrections or additions please email xforce@iss.net

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