BUG: Internet Explorer HTTP GET Request User Agent Incorrect for Java Applets (320055)

SYMPTOMS

When you download Java applets with Microsoft J++, Internet Explorer sends an incorrect value for the HTTP_USER_AGENT request variable.

This occurs for Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Service Pack 2, that runs Internet Explorer 5.5, Service Pack 2: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5, Windows NT 5.0; T312461).

When the browser tries to download a Java applet that is indicated in an

Mozilla/4.0. (compatible; MSIE.5.0; Win32)

CAUSE

This problem occurs with the Internet Explorer HTTP GET Request because the User Agent is incorrect for Java applets. This occurs because the string that is associated with the HTTP.agent is taken from the hkcu\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\User Agent.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, you can modify the registry key that the Java applet is using to the USER_AGENT of the respective browser. Note that this is a client-side fix. Therefore, the following change must be made for all client users:

hkcu\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\user agent

Example:

For Internet Explorer 6.0 on Microsoft Windows XP with the .NET Framework installed, change to:

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 1.0.3705)

MORE INFORMATION

NOTE: This is a bug in the Microsoft virtual machine (MS JVM 4.1). This bug will not be fixed.

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

Before running the code, start Network Monitor. Then, after running the code, view the trace file.
Use the following code sample to reproduce the error:

<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META NAME="GENERATOR" Content="Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0">
<TITLE></TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>

<APPLET name=RSAspProxyApplet codebase=http://myserver/myfolder/_ScriptLibrary code=RSProxy.class height=0 width=0 VIEWASTEXT></APPLET>

<P>Test of APPLET tag</P>

</BODY>
</HTML>