XMLHTTP Control Can Allow Access to Local Files

Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) includes the XMLHTTP ActiveX
control, which allows web pages rendering in the browser to send or
receive XML data via HTTP operations such as POST, GET, and PUT.
The control provides security measures designed to restrict web
pages so they can only use the control to request data from remote
data sources.

A flaw exists in how the XMLHTTP control applies IE security zone
settings to a redirected data stream returned in response to a
request for data from a web site. A vulnerability results because
an attacker could seek to exploit this flaw and specify a data
source that is on the user's local system. The attacker could
then use this to return information from the local system to the
attacker's web site.

An attacker would have to entice the user to a site under his
control to exploit this vulnerability. It cannot be exploited
by HTML email. In addition, the attacker would have to know the
full path and file name of any file he would attempt to read.
Finally, this vulnerability does not give an attacker any
ability to add, change or delete data.

Mitigating Factors:
====================
- The vulnerability can only be exploited via a web site.
It would not be possible to exploit this vulnerability
via HTML mail.

- The attacker would need to know the full path and file name
of a file in order to read it.

- The vulnerability does not provide any ability to add,
change, or delete files.

Risk Rating:
============
- Internet systems: Moderate
- Intranet systems: Moderate
- Client systems: Critical

Patch Availability:
===================
- A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the
Security Bulletin at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...n/ms02-008.asp
for information on obtaining this patch.