Netscape flaw leaves cookies unsecure

From...

By Sam Costello

(IDG) -- A security flaw in Netscape Communications' Navigator Web browser can let malicious Web site operators view the information stored in cookies on a user's computer, according to a security note published on Netscape's Web site.

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The vulnerability affects Navigator versions 6 through 6.2, as well as version 0.9.6 and earlier versions of the open-source version of Navigator, Mozilla, according to an analysis written by Marc Slemko, who discovered the bug. The bug, Slemko said in his analysis, can be exploited by causing users to visit a Web address inserted into HTML code on a Web page or in an HTML-formatted e-mail. If the user were to view the malicious Web site, cookies could be stolen off the user's computer, Slemko said.

Cookies are small data files used by many Web sites to track user visits, preferences and identity. If a cookie is readable, it can be used to impersonate the rightful owner of that cookie on a Web site.

Netscape urges all users of Navigator 6 through 6.2 to upgrade to version 6.2.1 which does not contain the flaw. Mozilla users should upgrade to version 0.9.7, which also contains the fix.