• Article

Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-043 - Critical

Patch Available for "Javascript Redirect" Vulnerability

Published: October 18, 1999 | Updated: November 17, 1999

Version: 1.1

Originally Posted: October 18, 1999
Re-released: November 17, 1999

Summary

On October 18, 1999, Microsoft released the original version of this bulletin, in order to advise customers of a workaround for a vulnerability in Microsoft® Internet Explorer. The vulnerability could allow a malicious web site operator to read files on the computer of a user who visited the site, under certain circumstances. Microsoft has completed a patch that completely eliminates the vulnerability, and has re-released this bulletin in order to advise customers of its availability.

Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq99-043.mspx.

Issue

Client-local data that is displayed in the browser window can be made available to the server by using a redirect to a Javascript applet running in the same window. This in effect bypasses cross-domain security and makes the data available to the applet, which could then send the data to a hostile server. This could allow a malicious web site operator to read the contents of files on visiting users' computers, if he or she knew the name of the file and the folder in which it resided. The vulnerability would not allow the malicious user to list the contents of folders, create, modify or delete files, or to usurp any administrative control over the machine.

Affected Software Versions

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 and 5.

Vulnerability Identifier: CVE-1999-0793

Patch Availability

  • https:

  • </https:>https: NOTE: The IE 4.01 patch requires IE 4.01 SP2 in order to install. IE 4.01 SP 2 is available at </https:>https:.

    NOTE: The patch will be available shortly via the WindowsUpdate site. When this happens, we will modify this bulletin to provide additional information.

More Information

Please see the following references for more information related to this issue.

  • Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-043: Frequently Asked Questions, https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq99-043.mspx.
  • Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article 244356, Update for "Javascript Redirect" Vulnerability in Internet Explorer 4.01, </https:>https:.
  • Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article 244357, Update for "Javascript Redirect" Vulnerability in Internet Explorer 5, </https:>https:.
  • Microsoft Security web site, </https:>https:.
    NOTE: It may take 24 hours from the original posting of this bulletin for the KB articles to be visible.

Obtaining Support on this Issue

This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft Technical Support is available at </https:>https:.

Revisions

  • October 18, 1999: Bulletin Created.
  • November 17, 1999: Bulletin re-released to provide information on availability of patch.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Built at 2014-04-18T13:49:36Z-07:00 </https:>