CVE-2002-0152 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in various Microsoft applications for Macintosh allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code by invoking the file:// directive with a large number of / characters, which affects Internet Explorer 5.1, Outlook Express 5.0 through 5.0.2, Entourage v. X and 2001, PowerPoint v. X, 2001, and 98, and Excel v. X and 2001 for Macintosh.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2017
This vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow flaw that specifically targeted Microsoft applications running on the Macintosh platform during the early 2000s. The issue stems from improper input validation when processing file:// URLs with excessively deep directory structures, creating a condition where attackers could manipulate the application's memory management through carefully crafted URL sequences. The vulnerability affects multiple Microsoft Office applications including Internet Explorer 5.1, Outlook Express 5.0 through 5.0.2, Entourage versions X and 2001, PowerPoint versions X, 2001, and 98, as well as Excel versions X and 2001 for Macintosh, indicating a widespread impact across the Microsoft Mac ecosystem during that time period.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the file:// protocol handler within these applications to trigger a buffer overflow condition. When a user accesses a maliciously crafted URL containing an excessive number of forward slashes, the application's internal buffer fails to properly validate the input length, allowing memory corruption to occur. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely, meaning attackers do not require local system access to potentially compromise affected systems. The vulnerability is categorized as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory to be overwritten. The attack vector involves web-based exploitation through URL manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter malicious links in emails or web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on affected systems. When the buffer overflow occurs, it can cause applications to crash unpredictably, leading to service disruption for end users, while in more severe cases, attackers could potentially inject and execute malicious code within the application's memory space. This represents a critical security risk for organizations relying on Microsoft Mac applications, as the vulnerability could be exploited through email attachments or web browsing activities. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patch deployment from Microsoft, as the flaw existed in multiple applications simultaneously across different versions of the Macintosh operating system. Organizations needed to implement network-level controls to prevent access to potentially malicious URLs and ensure all Microsoft applications were updated to patched versions. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in application development, particularly for protocols that handle file system paths and URLs. Security administrators should have implemented monitoring for unusual URL access patterns and ensured comprehensive application patch management processes were in place to address similar vulnerabilities in the future. The remediation process required careful testing of patches to ensure compatibility with existing business applications while maintaining security posture against exploitation attempts.