Internet Explorer Does Not Set a Cookie for Two-Letter Domains (310676)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming)
This article was previously published under Q310676
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you use Internet Explore 6, the SetCookie function does not work for two-letter domains.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by a code change in Wininet.dll. With this code change, the SpecialDomains registry key in KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0 is not checked. Wininet.dll assumes that a two-letter domain name is a top-level domain. For security reasons, Wininet.dll prevents setting cookies for such domains unless the domain is part of a top-level domain that is listed in the SpecialDomains (REG_SZ) registry key.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Internet Explorer 6. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

328548 How to Obtain the Latest Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 
   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   -------------------------------------------------------
   12-Nov-2001  18:52  6.0.2712.1100  582,656  Wininet.dll

In addition to applying the fix you need to modify the registry. To do this, follow these steps:

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
  2. Locate the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0

  3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:

    Value name: SpecialDomains
    Data type: REG_SZ
    Value: p. rg. ac.

    NOTE: Value should be the two later domain. For example: myhost.xy.ca (where "ca" stands for Canada; However you MUST enter the value field as "ac.")
  4. Quit Registry Editor.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do not use a domain name with less than three letters. You may also want to use HTTP redirects that route requests for www.xx.xx to www.xxx.xx.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/4/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbfix kbIE600preSP1fix kbIE600sp1fix KB310676 kbAudDeveloper
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