XMLHTTP call fails for URLs with embedded user credentials (832414)

Note The update that is described in this article is superseded by the update that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

887606 MSXML uses cached credentials incorrectly

SYMPTOMS

You make XMLHTTP calls with the following formats:

Xmlhttp.open("GET", 
"http://someone:mypass@www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp", 
 false, "", "");

Xmlhttp.open("GET",
"http://someone:mypass@www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp",
 false, "someone", "passwd");

Xmlhttp.open("GET",
 "http://www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp",
  false, "someone", "mypass");

The call fails, and you receive the following error message:

Invalid Syntax Error

However, the following call is successful:

Xmlhttp.open("GET", "http://www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp", false, "", "");

CAUSE

The Microsoft Internet Explorer security update that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article bans URLs with embedded user credentials:

832894 MS04-004: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer

MORE INFORMATION

Even after you apply the fix that is provided in this article, XMLHTTP calls with URLs in the following formats still fail.

Xmlhttp.open("GET",
"http://someone:mypass@www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp",
 false);

Xmlhttp.open("GET",
"http://someone:mypass@www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp",
 false, "someone", "passwd");

You must apply the fix, and you must also change the URL to the following format.

Xmlhttp.open("GET", "http://www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp", false, "someone", "mypass");

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft. This fix will only enable the scenario where user credentials are passed as parameters in the Open() method call. This fix will not enable scenarios where the user credentials are embedded in the URL.

Note This fix is only for the following versions of the Microsoft XML Parser (MSXML):

Microsoft XML 2.6
Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 2
Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 3
Microsoft XML 3.0 Service Pack 4
Microsoft XML 4.0 Service Pack 2

For additional information about how to obtain the updated files and for additional details, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

887606 MSXML uses cached credentials incorrectly

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the following format.

Xmlhttp.open("GET", "http://www.northwindtraders.com/default.asp", false, "", "");

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that the scenario where user credentials are passed as parameters in the Open() method call and are not embedded in the URL, is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

REFERENCES

For additional information, see the following Microsoft Security Bulletin:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS04-004.asp

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

834489 A security update is available that modifies the default behavior of Internet Explorer for handling user information in HTTP and in HTTPS URLs

887606 MSXML uses cached credentials incorrectly

269238 INFO: Version List of the Microsoft XML Parser

278674 Determine the Version of MSXML Parser Installed on a Computer

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