This flaw, detailed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011, allowed remote code execution. An unauthenticated attacker could exploit it to gain full control of affected systems, leading to system crashes or compromise.
The vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild by the notorious Sasser worm, which caused widespread disruptions globally. This impacted Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003.
US-CERT urged immediate patching with MS04-011. Firewalling ports 445 and 139 was also recommended to prevent network spread. TA04-33A underscored the critical need for timely patching of core operating system components.
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Multiple Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Internet Explorer
Original issue date: February 02, 2004
Last revised: --
Source: US-CERT
Systems Affected
Microsoft Windows systems running
* Internet Explorer 5.01
* Internet Explorer 5.50
* Internet Explorer 6
Previous, unsupported, versions of Internet Explorer may also be
affected.
Overview
Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) contains multiple vulnerabilities,
the most serious of which could allow a remote attacker to execute
arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running IE.
Description
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-004 describes three vulnerabilities
in Internet Explorer. These vulnerabilities are listed below. More
detailed information is available in the individual vulnerability
notes. Note that in addition to IE, any applications that use the IE
HTML rendering engine to interpret HTML documents may present
additional attack vectors for these vulnerabilities.
VU#784102 - Microsoft Internet Explorer Travel Log Cross Domain
Vulnerability
A cross-domain scripting vulnerability exists in the Travel Log
functionality of Internet Explorer. This vulnerability could allow a
remote attacker to execute arbitrary script in a different domain,
including the Local Machine Zone.
(Other resources: CAN-2003-01026)
VU#413886 - Microsoft Internet Explorer Drag-and-Drop Operation
Vulnerability
Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to direct drag and drop
behaviors and other mouse click actions by using method caching
(SaveRef) to access the window.moveBy method.
(Other resources: CAN-2003-01027)
VU#652278 - Microsoft Internet Explorer does not properly display URLs
Microsoft Internet Explorer does not properly display the location of
HTML documents. An attacker could exploit this behavior to mislead
users into revealing sensitive information.
(Other resources: CAN-2003-01025)
Impact
These vulnerabilities have different impacts, ranging from disguising
the true location of a URL to executing arbitrary commands or code.
Please see the individual vulnerability notes for specific
information. The most serious of these vulnerabilities (VU#784102)
could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with the
privileges of the user running IE. The attacker could exploit this
vulnerability by convincing the user to access a specially crafted
HTML document, such as a web page or HTML email message. No user
intervention is required beyond viewing the attacker's HTML document
with IE.
Solutions
Apply a patch
Apply the appropriate patch as specified by Microsoft Security
Bulletin MS04-004.
* Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-004 -
<http://microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-004.asp>
Note: The fix included in MS04-004 for VU#652278 may cause sites that
use URLs of the form "username:
This change, along with workarounds for users and administrators of
such sites, is covered in Microsoft KB Article 834489.
Vendor Information
This section contains information provided by vendors. When vendors
report new information, this section is updated and the changes are
noted in the revision history. If a vendor is not listed below, we
have not received their comments.
Microsoft
Please see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-004.
_________________________________________________________________
References
* CERT/CC Vulnerability Note VU#784102 -
<http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/784102>
* CERT/CC Vulnerability Note VU#413886 -
<http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/413886>
* CERT/CC Vulnerability Note VU#652278 -
<http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/652278>
* Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-004 -
<http://microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-004.asp>
* Microsoft KB Article 834489 -
<http://support.microsoft.com/?id=834489>
* CVE CAN-2003-01025 -
<http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2003-01025>
* CVE CAN-2003-01026 -
<http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2003-01026>
* CVE CAN-2003-01027 -
<http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2003-01027>
_________________________________________________________________
Feedback can be directed to the authors, Allen Householder and Art
Manion.
_________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2004 Carnegie Mellon University.
Revision History
February 02, 2004: Initial release
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