CVE-2002-0025 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5 and 6.0 does not properly handle the Content-Type HTML header field, which allows remote attackers to modify which application is used to process a document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0025 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 that stems from improper handling of the Content-Type HTML header field. This issue fundamentally undermines the browser's security model by allowing remote attackers to manipulate how web documents are processed, effectively bypassing the browser's intended security boundaries. The flaw exists at the core of how Internet Explorer interprets HTTP response headers, specifically the Content-Type field that typically dictates how content should be rendered or executed within the browser environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a weakness in Internet Explorer's content type detection mechanism where the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize the Content-Type header value received from web servers. When a malicious server sends a crafted Content-Type header, Internet Explorer may incorrectly interpret this value and route the document processing to an unintended application or execution context. This misinterpretation can lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation scenarios, as the browser's security sandbox may be circumvented through the manipulation of the document processing pipeline.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer remains in use, as it allows attackers to execute malicious code on targeted systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The impact extends beyond simple cross-site scripting attacks, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to perform more sophisticated attacks such as drive-by downloads or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites or where social engineering attacks are employed to direct users to malicious content.
The attack vector for CVE-2002-0025 aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on victim systems. This vulnerability specifically maps to the broader category of web browser exploitation techniques that target the client-side execution environment. The underlying cause of this vulnerability can be classified under CWE-16 as "Configuration' and more specifically relates to CWE-347 which addresses "Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature" and CWE-200 which deals with "Information Exposure".
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected Internet Explorer versions, as Microsoft released security updates to address the Content-Type header handling issue. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious Content-Type headers, along with browser hardening measures that restrict automatic execution of potentially dangerous content. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious websites and maintaining updated browser software to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and secure handling of HTTP headers in web browser implementations, particularly in legacy systems where security updates may not be regularly applied.