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Q275601: Virtual Directory Names with Executable Extensions Are Not Used

Article: Q275601
Product(s): Internet Information Server
Version(s): 3.0,4.0,5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 04-FEB-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.0 
- Microsoft Internet Information Server versions 3.0, 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When a virtual directory name ends with an executable extension (such as .com,
.exe, .dll or .sh), the files in this virtual directory cannot be viewed with a
Web browser.

If the execution rights are not set in this virtual directory, the following
error message occurs:

  403.1 - Forbidden: Execute Access Forbidden

If the execution rights are set, then the following error message occurs:

  404 - File not found

Under some circumstances the source code of an Active Server Pages (ASP) page may
be returned to the client if it is placed in a virtual directory with an
executable extension.

CAUSE
=====

IIS interprets the virtual directory with an executable extension as an
executable file and tries to run this file. The rest of the URL is passed in the
Path_Info variable. Tools such as the FrontPage Server Extensions make use of
this functionality.


Additional query words: kbDotCom

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbiisSearch kbiis500 kbiis400 kbiis300
Version           : :3.0,4.0,5.0
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbpending

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