CVE-2002-0648 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The legacy <script> data-island capability for XML in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary XML files, and portions of other files, via a URL whose "src" attribute redirects to a local file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0648 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer's handling of XML data islands, specifically affecting versions 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0. This issue stems from the browser's legacy support for XML data islands, which were designed to allow embedded XML data within HTML documents to be processed and displayed. The vulnerability arises when the browser processes XML data islands through the script element with the data-island attribute, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation through improper file access controls.
The technical flaw exploits the way Internet Explorer handles the src attribute within XML data islands, allowing attackers to manipulate the URL redirection mechanism to access local files on the victim's system. When a maliciously crafted XML document is loaded into the browser, the data-island capability permits the browser to resolve the src attribute to a local file path rather than restricting access to only web-based resources. This misconfiguration creates a path traversal vulnerability that enables attackers to read arbitrary XML files and portions of other files from the local file system, potentially exposing sensitive information stored on the victim's machine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access local system resources that should remain protected from web-based access. The flaw allows for the retrieval of configuration files, user data, system information, and potentially sensitive documents stored locally on the victim's computer. This access can lead to further exploitation opportunities, including the discovery of system vulnerabilities, user credentials, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for additional attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser level, bypassing traditional network-based security controls.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate application of Microsoft security patches and updates, which addressed the XML data island processing behavior to properly validate and restrict file access. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling XML data islands in Internet Explorer, restricting local file access through security policies, and employing web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious URL redirection patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-200 Information Disclosure, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious code through browser-based attacks. Network administrators should also consider implementing content filtering and access control measures to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious XML content that could exploit this vulnerability.