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CERT® Advisory CA-2000-14 Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express Cache Bypass Vulnerability

Original release date: July 26, 2000
Source: CERT/CC

A complete revision history is at the end of this file.

Systems Affected

  • Any system running Microsoft Outlook Express 4.0 or 4.01
  • Any system running Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 or 5.01
  • Any system running Microsoft Outlook 98
  • Any system running Microsoft Outlook 2000

Overview

Microsoft has recently released Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-046, in which they announced a patch for the "Cache Bypass" vulnerability. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can use an HTML-formatted message to read certain types of files on the victim's machine.

In addition, because this vulnerability also allows the attacker to store files on the victim's machine, it can be used in conjunction with existing vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

I. Description

"Cache Bypass" Vulnerability

Typically, all files downloaded by either Outlook or Internet Explorer are stored in an area known as a cache. The cache serves two main purposes. First, it provides temporary storage for online content, which minimizes the amount of data that must be transferred when refreshing a page. Second, it provides an area where Internet content can be downloaded to the local machine and accessed with the same security policy as remote content.

This vulnerability allows attackers to use an HTML-formatted message to store files outside the cache. Inside the cache, the files are governed by the security policy of the "Internet Zone," but outside they are governed by the "Local Computer Zone." Once a file is stored in the "Local Computer Zone," the security policy of the "Internet Zone" no longer applies to it. This could put systems at risk because the security policies of the "Local Computer Zone" are typically more permissive than those of the "Internet Zone."

II. Impact

When exploited, this vulnerability allows an attacker to store an HTML file in an area that is not protected by the policies of the "Internet Zone." This file may then be used to open arbitrary files on the victim's machine and send their contents back to the attacker.

In addition, the "Cache Bypass" vulnerability could be used in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to allow an intruder to execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine.

III. Solution

Microsoft has released Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-046, which points to a patch for this vulnerability. We strongly encourage you to read this bulletin and apply the patch. MS00-046 is available at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS00-046.asp

The CERT Coordination Center would like to thank Microsoft for its assistance in developing this advisory.

Author: Jeffrey P. Lanza

This document is available from: http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-2000-14.html

CERT/CC Contact Information

Email: cert@cert.org
Phone: +1 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline)
Fax: +1 412-268-6989
Postal address:
CERT Coordination Center
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890
U.S.A.

CERT/CC personnel answer the hotline 08:00-17:00 EST(GMT-5) / EDT(GMT-4) Monday through Friday; they are on call for emergencies during other hours, on U.S. holidays, and on weekends.

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Copyright 2000 Carnegie Mellon University

Revision History 

July 26, 2000:  Initial release