Georgi Guninski security advisory #8, 2000

IE 5.x allows executing arbitrary programs using .chm files

Disclaimer:
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of any company.
The usual standard disclaimer applies, especially the fact that Georgi
Guninski is not liable for any damages caused by direct or  indirect use
of the information or functionality provided by this program.
Georgi Guninski, bears NO responsibility for content or misuse of this
program or any derivatives thereof.

Description:
There is a vulnerability in IE 5.x for Win95/WinNT (probably others)
which allows executing arbitrary programs using .chm files. Microsoft
Networking must be installed.

Details:
The problem is the window.showHelp() method which opens .chm files. IE
disallows opening .chm files with the http protocol, but allows opening
if the .chm file resides on MS networking server or a local drive.
In this case the .chm file is opened even if it is on a remote host. In
turn .chm files may execute arbitrary programs using the "shortcut"
command.

Demonstration which starts Wordpad: http://www.nat.bg/~joro/chm3.html

Workaround: Disable Active Scripting.

Copyright Georgi Guninski

Regards,
Georgi Guninski
http://www.nat.bg/~joro