CVE-2002-0057 in XML Core Services
Summary
by MITRE
XMLHTTP control in Microsoft XML Core Services 2.6 and later does not properly handle IE Security Zone settings, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by specifying a local file as an XML Data Source.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0057 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft XML Core Services 2.6 and subsequent versions that specifically affects the XMLHTTP control functionality. This issue stems from improper handling of Internet Explorer security zone settings, creating a significant bypass mechanism that undermines the browser's security model. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the XMLHTTP control's data source handling capabilities to access local files on the target system, effectively breaking the security boundaries that separate local and remote content execution contexts.
The technical flaw manifests in how the XMLHTTP control processes XML data sources when operating within different Internet Explorer security zones. Under normal circumstances, IE enforces strict security policies that prevent remote content from accessing local files through mechanisms such as the file:// protocol or direct local path references. However, this vulnerability enables attackers to circumvent these protections by crafting malicious XML data sources that reference local files, effectively allowing arbitrary file read operations without proper authentication or authorization checks. The control fails to properly validate or sanitize the data source parameters, particularly when these parameters are derived from remote sources, creating a path traversal-like condition that can be exploited across security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files from the target system, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration files, user credentials, application data, or system files. Attackers can leverage this capability to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about the target environment, and potentially escalate privileges by accessing files that contain authentication tokens, database connection strings, or other sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring any special privileges or local access, making it a potent vector for information disclosure attacks that align with the attack pattern described in the attack technique T1005 - Data from Local System within the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
The security implications extend beyond simple file access, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the security zone model that Microsoft implemented to protect users from malicious web content. The flaw enables attackers to bypass the security restrictions that separate trusted intranet zones from untrusted internet zones, potentially allowing for more sophisticated attacks that combine this vulnerability with other exploitation techniques. This issue directly relates to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, as it allows unrestricted access to file system paths that should normally be protected from remote access. Organizations that rely on XML Core Services for web applications or data processing are particularly at risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browser interactions without requiring any special tools or conditions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Microsoft XML Core Services installations to address the underlying security flaw in the XMLHTTP control's handling of data sources. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions that prevent unnecessary access to XML services and consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious XML data source patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and security zone enforcement in web-based applications, particularly those that handle XML data processing. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as this flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation issues can create significant security risks that align with the security principle of least privilege and the defense-in-depth strategies recommended by industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53.