Signature Detail

HTTP: Internet Explorer showHelp() Arbitrary Program Execution

This signature detects attempts to exploit a known vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) Help files. Attackers can call the ShowHelp() JavaScript function in the compiled HTML Help file, which contains a shortcut file that can execute arbitrary programs on the local host.

Extended Description

Microsoft Windows is prone to a security flaw in the implementation of the showHelp() function. Microsoft previously released patches that provide security measures to prevent abuse of the showHelp() method to reference local compiled help files (.CHM) from within a web page. This initial problem was described in BID 6780/MS03-004. However, using directory traversal sequences and special syntax when referring to the CHM file, it is possible to bypass this restriction. This could be exploited in combination with other known vulnerabilities to install and execute malicious code on a client system. ** UPDATE: This issue was initially believed to affect Microsoft Internet Explorer but is actually an operating system issue. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Outlook, and Outlook Express may all present attack vectors for this security flaw.

Affected Products

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 For Windows 2000
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 For Windows 95
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 For Windows 98
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 For Windows NT 4.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP3
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP4
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP3
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP3
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP4
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
• Microsoft Windows 98
• Microsoft Windows 98SE
• Microsoft Windows ME
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP1
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP2
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6
• Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6
• Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
• Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP1
• Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP2
• Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3
• Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition Itanium
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition Itanium
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition SP1
• Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition Version 2003 SP1
• Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition Version 2003
• Microsoft Windows XP Home SP1
• Microsoft Windows XP Home
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

References

• BugTraq: 9320
• CVE: CVE-2003-1041
• URL: http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/348521
• URL: http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/187196