Re: IE GetObject() problems

[Michael Fellows <mfellows () dot state ut us>]

I tested this with the following systems:

Win2K, IE 6.0.2600.0000CO w/Q313675
Win95, IE 5.50.4807.2300CO w/SP2

IE gives an "Error: Automation server can't create object" error unless
"Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" is set to
"Enable" in the "Local intranet" Zone.  At which point the vulnerability
as listed works.

User intervention is required to enable this setting because default
settings and settings provided via the "Reset custom settings" default to
either "Disable" or "Prompt".

Were you able to get past this setting?  If not, then I don't see this as
being too large of a threat.


Thank you,

Michael

-- 
Michael Fellows
Utah Department of Transportation
email:   mfellows () dot state ut us
pgp key: 0x6D8C2EF7


On Tue, 1 Jan 2002, Georgi Guninski wrote:

> Georgi Guninski security advisory #52, 2001
>
> IE GetObject() problems
>
> Systems affected:
> Patched IE 6.0, somewhat patched 5.5 Win2K
>
> Risk: High
> Date: 1 January 2002
>
> Legal Notice:
> This Advisory is Copyright (c) 2001 Georgi Guninski.
> You may distribute it unmodified.
> You may not modify it and distribute it or distribute parts
> of it without the author's written permission.
>
> Disclaimer:
> The information in this advisory is believed to be true based on
> experiments though it may be false.
> The opinions expressed in this advisory and program are my own and
> not of any company. The usual standard disclaimer applies,
> especially the fact that Georgi Guninski is not liable for any damages
> caused by direct or  indirect use of the information or functionality
> provided by this advisory or program. Georgi Guninski bears no
> responsibility for content or misuse of this advisory or program or
> any derivatives thereof.
>
> Description:
>
> IE allows reading local files due to a bug in GetObject().
> Reading local files may lead to executing arbitrary programs.
>
> Details:
>
> GetObject() has a bad security record - 
> check http://www.guninski.com/browsers.html
> The new bug is quite similar to:
> http://www.guninski.com/getobject1-desc.html
> the difference being:
> ----------------------
> a=GetObject("http://"+location.host+"/../../../../../../test.txt","htmlfile";);
> ----------------------
> It is funny that directory traversal on a http: URL leads to reading local files.
>
> Workaround/Solution:
>
> Disable Active Scripting and never turn it on.
> Better, do not use IE in hostile environments such as the internet. 
>
> Vendor status:
>
> Microsoft was notified on 11 December 2001.
> They had 3 weeks to produce a patch but didn't.
>
> Regards,
> Georgi Guninski
> http://www.guninski.com