Posted on 10/30/2004 1:05:40 PM PDT by FreedomCalls
The flaw, which was posted to the Bugtraq mailing list by Benjamin Franz, is exploited by placing two URLs and a table within a single HTML href tag, producing a link that looks like this:
http://www.microsoft.com |
The technique, which can be executed by anyone with basic knowledge of HTML, can be used to construct convicing fake URLs for use in phishing scams. The flaw is possible because Internet Explorer has difficulty processing improperly formed HTML. The attack opens one href tag, and then leaves that tag open while enclosing a second URL within a table. The browser displays the first URL in the status bar, but sends users to the second URL.
The flaw affects versions of IE up to 6.0.2800.1106 - which includes systems that haven't yet installed Windows XP SP2, but are current on all other critical updates from Windows Update - as well as the Safari browser for Macs. Users running Windows XP SP2 (IE version 6.0.2900) and the open source Firefox and Mozilla browsers are not affected.
Phishing attacks seek to trick account holders into divulging sensitive account information through the use of e-mails which appear to come from trusted financial institutions and retailers. Several previous URL spoofing weaknesses in Internet Explorer have been widely used by phishing attacks. The ability to display a fraudulent URL in the status bar is especially useful, as security-conscious users would check the status bar before clicking through. The technique does not disguise the URL displayed in the address bar upon arrival at the destination page, meaning alert users will recognize the spoof at that point. But the tactic could be used to send e-mail recipients and web surfers to pages that attempt to download malware upon loading, a common tactic used by phishers to install trojans and keyloggers.
Netcraft has developed a service to help banks and other financial organizations identify sites which may be trying to construct frauds, identity theft and phishing attacks by pretending to be the bank, or are implying that the site has a relationship with the bank when in fact there is none.
I don't see the open under file to type in url? In Foxfire,I mean
Which operating system are you running, and with which service patch?
http://www.ebay.com |
Messing around a bit above with the table and nested links. I think I see what you're saying. Thanks!
I noticed that right-clicking the link displays in the status bar the website it'll take you to.
YES IT DOES! Thanks for finding that out. That's a finding worth of any detective. Are Free Republic people the smartest, most insightful, and probably best looking or what?
My FireFox does the same as IE ... but I love the way it warns mean I'm closing the whole browser instead of just a window/tab! ;-)
CommSec BUMP
You need to click on the download reference on the upper right side of the screen. It is in the green box with the big words "Free Download".
Run it or save it locally to run it from your drive.
You need to download a more recent version. The current version does not have the problem when you open a spoofed link in your current window.
'Twas a pleasure to stumble upon. *LOL*
And yes, we are! ;-D
Interesting. Here at work, if I point at the link, it still shows the correct link (Kerry's website) in the status bar, but this time it does redirect to Kerry's website (if the link its clicked on), unlike at home on the SP2, where it simply said "page cannot be displayed". Here I'm using a Mac with OS X version 10.1.5, with Internet Explorer for Mac version 5.2.3
Ok, so upgrade and all is well, right? Why is this a big deal?
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