__________________________________________________________ The U.S. Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory Capability ___ __ __ _ ___ / | /_\ / \___ __|__ / \ \___ __________________________________________________________ INFORMATION BULLETIN Microsoft Internet Explorer Cumulative Patch [Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-040] October 6, 2003 14:00 GMT Number O-002 ______________________________________________________________________________ PROBLEM: There are two new vulnerabilities in IE: 1) A vulnerability occurs because Internet Explorer does not properly determine an object type returned from a Web server in a popup window. 2) A vulnerability occurs because Internet Explorer does not properly determine an object type returned from a Web server during XML data binding. SOFTWARE: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, 6.0, 6.0 for Windows Server 2003 DAMAGE: It could be possible for an attacker who exploited this vulnerability to run arbitrary code on a user's system. SOLUTION: Apply patch immediately. (NOTE--This patch supersedes the one provided in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-032 which is itself a cumulative patch.) ______________________________________________________________________________ VULNERABILITY The risk is HIGH. There are rumors that exploits are already in ASSESSMENT: the wild. It is possible for an attacker to run arbitrary code. ______________________________________________________________________________ LINKS: CIAC BULLETIN: http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/o-002.shtml ORIGINAL BULLETIN: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url= /technet/security/bulletin/MS03-040.asp CVE: http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name= CVE-2003-0838 CVE-2003-0809 ______________________________________________________________________________ [***** Start Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-040 *****] Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-040 Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (828750) Originally posted: October 3, 2003 Summary Who should read this bulletin: Users running Microsoft Internet Explorer. Impact of vulnerability: Run code of attacker’s choice. Maximum Severity Rating: Critical Recommendation: Customers should apply the patch immediately. End User Bulletin: An end user version of this bulletin is available at: http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-040.asp Protect your PC: Additional information on how you can help protect your PC is available at the following locations: End Users can visit http://www.microsoft.com/protect IT Professionals can visit http://www.microsoft.com/technet/protect Affected Software: Internet Explorer 5.01 Internet Explorer 5.5 Internet Explorer 6.0 Internet Explorer 6.0 for Windows Server 2003 Technical details Technical description: 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 the following newly discovered vulnerabilities: * A vulnerability that occurs because Internet Explorer does not properly determine an object type returned from a Web server in a popup window. 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 Web site, it could be possible for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability without any other user action. An attacker could also craft an HTML–based e-mail that would attempt to exploit this vulnerability. * A vulnerability that occurs because Internet Explorer does not properly determine an object type returned from a Web server during XML data binding. 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 Web site, it could be possible for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability without any other user action. An attacker could also craft an HTML–based e-mail that would attempt to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, a change has been made to the method by which Internet Explorer handles Dynamic HTML (DHTML) Behaviors in the Internet Explorer Restricted Zone. It could be possible for an attacker exploiting a separate vulnerability (such as one of the two vulnerabilities discussed above) to cause Internet Explorer to run script code in the security context of the Internet Zone. In addition, an attacker could use Windows Media Player’s (WMP) ability to open URLs to construct an attack. An attacker could also craft an HTML-based e-mail that could attempt to exploit this behavior. To exploit these flaws, the attacker would have to create a specially formed HTML–based e-mail 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. As with the previous Internet Explorer cumulative patches released with bulletins MS03-004, MS03-015, MS03-020, and MS03-032, 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. In addition to applying this security patch it is recommended that users also install the Windows Media Player update referenced in Knowledge Base Article 828026. This update is available from Windows Update as well as the Microsoft Download Center for all supported versions of Windows Media Player. While not a security patch, this update contains a change to the behavior of Windows Media Player’s ability to launch URLs to help protect against DHTML behavior based attacks. Specifically, it restricts Windows Media Player’s ability to launch URLs in the local computer zone from other zones. Mitigating factors: * By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003 runs in Enhanced Security Configuration. This default configuration of Internet Explorer blocks automatic exploitation of this attack. If Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration has been disabled, the protections put in place that prevent this vulnerability from being automatically 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 this vulnerability. * Exploiting the vulnerability would allow the attacker only the same privileges as the user. Users whose accounts are configured to have user level privileges on the system would be at less risk than ones who operate with administrative privileges. Severity Rating: Internet Internet Internet Internet Internet Internet Explorer 6.0 for Explorer Explorer Explorer Explorer Explorer Windows 5.01 SP3 5.01 SP4 5.5 SP2 6.0 Gold 6.0 SP1 Server 2003 Windows ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Object Tag vulnerability in Critical Critical Critical Critical Critical Moderate Popup Window ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Object Tag vulnerability with Critical Critical Critical Critical Critical Moderate XML data binding ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aggregate Severity of all issues included in this Critical Critical Critical Critical Critical Moderate patch ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The above assessment is based on the types of systems affected by the vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would have on them. Vulnerability identifier: * Object Tag vulnerability in Popup Window: CAN-2003-0838 * Object Tag vulnerability with XML data binding: CAN-2003-0809 Tested Versions: Microsoft tested Internet Explorer versions 5.01 Service Pack 3, Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4, Internet Explorer 5.5 Service pack 2, Internet Explorer 6.0 and Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1 to assess whether they are affected by these vulnerabilities. Previous versions are no longer supported, and may or may not be affected by these vulnerabilities. Additional information about this patch Installation platforms: The patch can be installed on: * Internet Explorer 5.01 running on Windows 2000 systems with Service Pack 3 or Service Pack 4 installed. * The Internet Explorer 5.5 patch can be installed on systems running Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2. * The Internet Explorer 6.0 patch can be installed on systems running IE 6.0 Gold or Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1. Inclusion in future service packs: The fix for these issues will be included in Windows 2000 Service Pack 5, Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. Reboot needed: Yes - After reboot, an administrator logon is required for: * Internet Explorer 5.01 on Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 * Internet Explorer 5.5 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Patch can be uninstalled: Yes. Superseded patches: This patch supersedes the one provided in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-032 which is itself a cumulative patch. Verifying patch installation: * To verify that the patch has been installed on the machine, open Internet Explorer, select Help, then select About Internet Explorer and confirm that Q828750 is listed in the Update Versions field. Note that you can not use this method on Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003, as the Update Versions field is not updated by the package for these operating systems. * To verify the individual files, use the patch manifest provided in Knowledge Base article 828750. Caveats: If you have not installed the updated HTML Help control from Knowledge Base article 811630, you will not be able to use some HTML Help functionality after applying this update. In order to restore that functionality, users need to download the updated HTML Help control (811630). Users should also note that when the latest version of HTML Help is installed, the following limitations will occur when a help file is opened with the showHelp method: * Only supported protocols can be used with showHelp to open a web page or help (.chm) file. * The shortcut function supported by HTML Help will be disabled when the help file is opened with showHelp This will not affect the shortcut functionality if the same CHM file is opened by the user manually by double-clicking on the help file, or by through an application on the local system using the HTMLHELP( ) API. Localization: Localized versions of this patch are available at the locations discussed in “Patch Availability”. Obtaining other security patches: Patches for other security issues are available from the following locations: * Security patches are available from the Microsoft Download Center, and can be most easily found by doing a keyword search for "security_patch". * Patches for consumer platforms are available from the WindowsUpdate web site Other information: Support: * Microsoft Knowledge Base article 828750 discusses this issue and will be available approximately 24 hours after the release of this bulletin. Knowledge Base articles can be found on the Microsoft Online Support web site. * Technical support is available from Microsoft Product Support Services. There is no charge for support calls associated with security patches. Security Resources: The Microsoft TechNet Security Web Site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products. Disclaimer: 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. Revisions: V1.0 (October 3, 2003): Bulletin Created. [***** End Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-040 *****] _______________________________________________________________________________ CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Microsoft for the information contained in this bulletin. _______________________________________________________________________________ CIAC, the Computer Incident Advisory Capability, is the computer security incident response team for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the emergency backup response team for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). CIAC is located at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. CIAC is also a founding member of FIRST, the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams, a global organization established to foster cooperation and coordination among computer security teams worldwide. CIAC services are available to DOE, DOE contractors, and the NIH. CIAC can be contacted at: Voice: +1 925-422-8193 (7x24) FAX: +1 925-423-8002 STU-III: +1 925-423-2604 E-mail: ciac@ciac.org Previous CIAC notices, anti-virus software, and other information are available from the CIAC Computer Security Archive. World Wide Web: http://www.ciac.org/ Anonymous FTP: ftp.ciac.org PLEASE NOTE: Many users outside of the DOE, ESnet, and NIH computing communities receive CIAC bulletins. If you are not part of these communities, please contact your agency's response team to report incidents. Your agency's team will coordinate with CIAC. The Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) is a world-wide organization. A list of FIRST member organizations and their constituencies can be obtained via WWW at http://www.first.org/. This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor the University of California nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government or the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. 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