Software Engineering Institute

"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."

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.

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