MS02-008: XMLHTTP Control in MSXML 2.6 Can Allow Access to Local Files

An information-disclosure vulnerability exists that could allow an attacker to read files on the local file system of a user who visits a specially malformed web site.

The attacker would not be able to add, change, or delete files. In addition, the attacker would not be able to use e-mail to carry out this attack; the vulnerability can only be exploited by way of a Web site. Customers who exercise caution when browsing and avoid visiting unknown or untrustworthy sites are at less risk from this vulnerability.

The vulnerability exists because the XMLHTTP control in the Microsoft XML Core Services does not respect the Internet Explorer Security Zone restrictions. This enables a Web page to specify a file on a user's local system as an XML data source as a means of reading the file.

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that you determine are at risk of attack. Evaluate the computer's physical accessibility, network and Internet connectivity, and other factors to determine the degree of risk to the computer. See the associated Microsoft Security Bulletin (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS02-008.mspx) to help determine the degree of risk. This hotfix may receive additional testing. If the computer is sufficiently at risk, we recommend that you apply this hotfix now.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the hotfix by following the instructions later in this article or contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Release Date: February 21, 2002

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 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:
Note To install the patch silently and without a restart, use the following switches: /q:a /c:"dahotfix /q /n"

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft XML 2.0.

Affected versions of MSXML ship as part of several products. You should apply the patch to systems with any of the following Microsoft products:

• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
• Microsoft SQL Server 2000

MSXML can also be installed separately. MSXML is installed as a DLL in the System32 subfolder of the Windows operating system folder. On most systems, this will likely be C:\Windows or C:\winnt. If you have any or all of the following files in the System32 folder, you need the patch:

• Msxml2.dll
• Msxml3.dll
• Msxml4.dll

If you have only Msxml.dll, you do not need the patch because this is an earlier, unaffected version.

For more information on this vulnerability, see the following Microsoft Web site: To install this hotfix in unattended mode, use the following command line arguments.

Unattended installation of hotfix both displaying "extracting hotfix dialog" and displaying a final reboot dialog: Unattended completely silent installation of hotfix but displaying a final reboot dialog: Unattended completely silent installation of hotfix with final reboot dialog suppressed: