Patch Available for Cached Content Identification Vulnerability (286045)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 1
This article was previously published under Q286045

SYMPTOMS

The Internet Explorer security architecture provides a caching mechanism that is used to store content that needs to be downloaded and processed on the user's local computer. The purpose of the cache is to obfuscate the physical location of the cached content, in order to ensure that the Web page or HyperText Markup Language (HTML) e-mail work through the Internet Explorer security architecture to gain access to the information. This ensures that use of the information can be properly restricted.

A vulnerability exists because it is possible for a Web page or HTML e-mail to learn the physical location of cached content. By using this information, a malicious user could cause the cached content to be opened in the Local Computer Zone. For example, this would enable the malicious user to start compiled HTML help (.chm) files that contain shortcuts to .exe file, thereby enabling the malicious user to run the .exe files.

This vulnerability cannot be exploited without some user action such as either browsing to the malicious user's site or opening an e-mail message from the malicious user. Customers who exercise safe browsing habits would be less likely to visit untrustworthy sites. Likewise, customers who have used the Security Zones feature to restrict what HTML e-mail messages can do would be less likely to be affected by this vulnerability.

RESOLUTION

Internet Explorer 5.5

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer version 5.5. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267954 How to Obtain the Latest Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack

For your convenience, the individual update is also available:

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

DownloadDownload the individual patch now

-or-

DownloadDownload the IE 5.5 Security Rollup now

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date        Time    Version         Size       File name   
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   10/20/2000  03:50p  5.50.4522.1800     92,432  Advpack.dll
   01/18/2001  05:12p  5.50.4613.1700  2,745,104  Mshtml.dll
   11/13/2000  12:07p  5.50.4611.1300  1,146,128  Shdocvw.dll
   01/24/2001  01:56p  5.50.4701.2400    456,464  Urlmon.dll
   10/20/2000  03:50p  4.71.704.0          2,272  W95inf16.dll
   10/20/2000  03:50p  4.71.16.0           4,608  W95inf32.dll

Internet Explorer 5.01

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer version 5.01. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267954 How to Obtain the Latest Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack

For your convenience, the individual update is also available for download. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

DownloadDownload Q279328.exe now

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

STATUS

Internet Explorer 5.5

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer version 5.5 Service Pack 2.

Internet Explorer 5.01

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer version 5.01 Service Pack 2.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vulnerability, see the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-015.mspx

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/16/2004
Keywords:kbbug kbenv kbfix kbgraphxlinkcritical kbIE501preSP2fix kbIE550preSP2fix KB286045
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