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Q251170: Malformed Argument in Hit-Highlighting Allows Access to Server

Article: Q251170
Product(s): Internet Information Server
Version(s): 2.0,2000,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork kbProgramming kbWin2000PreSP1Fix kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Index Server version 2.0 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

On March 31, 2000, Microsoft re-released this patch to address a variant of this
vulnerability. In addition to the information below, the latest variant, even
after applying the original patch, could allow a malicious user to read the
source of selected files on the server that normally get server-side processing
(most notably, .ASP files). While the original vulnerability affects Windows NT
4.0 and Windows 2000, this variant only affects Windows NT 4.0. You do not need
to reapply the patch to Windows 2000-based computers.

The ISAPI filter that implements the hit-highlighting (also known as "WebHits")
functionality does not adequately constrain what files can be requested. If you
provide a deliberately-malformed argument in a request to hit-highlight a
document, it is possible to escape the virtual folder. This can allow someone
without permissions to read any file residing on the same logical drive of the
server that contains the Web Root folder. It does not allow anyone without
permissions to add or modify files.

RESOLUTION
==========

Windows 2000
------------

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For
additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  Q260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

This update is also part of the Windows 2000 Critical Update, February 17, 2000
that is available on the Windows Update site. You can also download this
critical update (for installation later or on a different computer) from the
following Microsoft Web site:

  http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/critical/q253934/default.asp

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

  DownloadDownload Q251170_w2k_sp1_x86_en.exe now
  (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=17726)



Windows NT 4.0
--------------

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to
correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to
systems experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the
fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and
information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World
Wide Web:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may
be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific
update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional
support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in
question.

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download
Center:

  x86: DownloadDownload Q252463i.exe now
  (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=17727)

  Alpha: DownloadDownload Q252463a.exe now
  (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=17728)

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click
the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft used the most current virus detection software available on the date of
posting to scan this file for viruses. After it is posted, the file is housed on
secure servers that prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or
later:

  Date        Time    Version      Size     File name    Platform
  ---------------------------------------------------------------
  01/25/2000  10:07p  5.0.1781.3    193,296  Idq.dll      x86
  01/25/2000  10:05p  5.0.1781.3    863,504  Query.dll    x86
  03/27/2000  11:17a  5.0.1781.3     42,256  Webhits.dll  x86

  01/25/2000  10:12p  5.0.1781.3    300,304  Idq.dll      Alpha
  01/25/2000  10:11p  5.0.1781.3  1,952,528  Query.dll    Alpha
  03/27/2000  11:15a  5.0.1781.3     79,120  Webhits.dll  Alpha



STATUS
======

Windows 2000
------------

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows 2000. This problem was
first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 1.

Windows NT 4.0
--------------

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0.

MORE INFORMATION
================

For more information, please see the security buletin information at:

  http://www.microsoft.com/technet/Security/Bulletin/ms00-006.asp

  Q252463 Index Server Error Message Reveals Physical Location of Web
  Directories

For additional information about how to install Windows 2000 and Windows 2000
hotfixes at the same time, click the article number below to view the article in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q249149 Installing Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Hotfixes


Additional query words:

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Keywords          : kbnetwork kbProgramming kbWin2000PreSP1Fix kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbIdxServSearch kbAudDeveloper kbWinAdvServSearch kbIdxServ200
Version           : :2.0,2000,4.0
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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