When Microsoft Internet Explorer retrieves an XML file as the result of a POST request, and that XML file includes an XSL style sheet that is available locally in the cache, the style sheet is not retrieved from the client-side cache. Instead, the style sheet is requested in full from the specified URL.

When Internet Explorer retrieves the XML file as the result of a GET request, this problem does not occur. The XSL file is retrieved from the client-side cache if a valid and current copy of the file is available.

By design, POST requests do not use the client-side cache because they typically contain form data and receive a dynamic response from the server. In the affected versions of Microsoft XML (MSXML), the subsequent GET request for the XSL file that is included in the XML file also does not check the client-side cache.

The problem does not occur if the outer request for the XML file is a GET request. If the request for the outer XML file is a POST request, the inner request that is generated for an embedded style sheet in the XML file is not retrieved from the cache even if it should be. This request for an embedded resource, or XSL file, is still a GET request, even if the containing resource, or XML file, is requested with a POST request.

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language. The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.