Microsoft Internet Explorer Self Executing HTML Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

Risk
High

Date Discovered
11-05-2003

Description
Microsoft Internet Explorer has been reported prone to an arbitrary code execution vulnerability.

The issue presents itself when Internet Explorer is rendering malicious HTML pages that contain embedded executables that are invoked in a specific manner. When a malicious page is rendered the embedded code is executed with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable web browser.

Platforms Affected
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services
Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP1
Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP2
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98SE
Microsoft Windows ME
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP1
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP2
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6
Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP1
Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP2
Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3
Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5
Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition 64-bit
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition 64-bit
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition

Components Affected
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0

Recommendations
Run all client software as a non-privileged user with minimal access rights.
Running Internet Explorer with least privileges possible may help mitigate the impact of successful exploitation of this vulnerability.

Set web browser security to disable the execution of script code or active content.
Disabling script code or active content functionality in Internet Explorer may help prevent potential attacks.

Currently we are not aware of any vendor-supplied patches for this issue. If you feel we are in error or are aware of more recent information, please mail us at: vuldb@securityfocus.com .
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1:
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0:

References
Source: POS#1 Self-Executing HTML: Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0 Part III
URL: http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/343521

Source: Re: POS#1 Self-Executing HTML: Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0 Part III
URL: http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/343810

Source: Re: POS#1 Self-Executing HTML: Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0 Part III
URL: http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/343917

Credits
Discovery of this vulnerability has been credited to http-equiv.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Symantec Corp.
Permission to redistribute this alert electronically is granted as long as it is not edited in any way unless authorized by Symantec Security Response. Reprinting the whole or part of this alert in any medium other than electronically requires permission from symsecurity@symantec.com.

Disclaimer
The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.

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