Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-055)
Patch Available for "Scriptlet Rendering" Vulnerability
Originally Posted: August 09, 2000
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates two security
vulnerabilities in Microsoft(r) Internet Explorer. The
vulnerabilities could allow a malicious web site operator to read -
but not add, change, or delete - files on the computer of a visiting
user.
As discussed in the Patch Availability section below, this patch also
provides protection against several security vulnerabilities that
have been discussed in previous security bulletins. We have delivered
a comprehensive patch in order to minimize the number of patches
customers need to apply.
Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability
and the patch can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-055.asp
There are two vulnerabilities at issue here:
In order to exploit either vulnerability, a malicious web site
operator would need to know or guess the exact name and path of each
file he wanted to view. Even then, he could only view file types that
can be opened in a browser window - for instance, .txt or .doc files,
but not .exe or .dat files. If the web site were in a Zone in which
Active Scripting were disabled, neither vulnerability could be
exploited.
Note: In addition to eliminating the two vulnerabilities discussed
above, this patch also protects against several previously-discussed
vulnerabilities. Customers who apply this patch will also be
protected against the vulnerabilities discussed in the following
Security Bulletins:
Note: Customers who install this patch on versions other than IE
5.01, IE 5.01 SP1, or IE 5.5 may receive a message reading "This
update does not need to be installed on this system". This message is
incorrect. More information is available in KB article Q266336.
Note: Additional security patches are available at the Microsoft
Download Center
Please see the following references for more information related to
this issue.
This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft
Product Support Services is available at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp.
Microsoft thanks Juan Carlos Garcia Cuartango of Spain
(www.kriptopolis.com) for reporting the "Scriptlet Rendering" issue
to us and working with us to protect customers.
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.
Last Updated August 09, 2000