CVE-2002-1258 in Virtual Machine
Summary
by MITRE
Two vulnerabilities in Microsoft Virtual Machine (VM) up to and including build 5.0.3805, as used in Internet Explorer and other applications, allow remote attackers to read files via a Java applet with a spoofed location in the CODEBASE parameter in the APPLET tag, possibly due to a parsing error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1258 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Virtual Machine version 5.0.3805 and earlier, which was widely deployed within Internet Explorer and other applications. This vulnerability stems from a parsing error in how the Virtual Machine handles Java applets, specifically when processing the CODEBASE parameter within the APPLET tag. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit a location spoofing mechanism that allows unauthorized file access through maliciously crafted Java applets. The vulnerability affects systems where the Virtual Machine is integrated into web browsers or applications, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to bypass security restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a parsing error within the Microsoft Virtual Machine's handling of Java applet locations. When a Java applet is embedded in a webpage using the APPLET tag with a CODEBASE parameter, the Virtual Machine incorrectly processes the location information, allowing attackers to manipulate the applet's execution context. This parsing error occurs during the validation of the CODEBASE attribute, where the Virtual Machine fails to properly verify or sanitize the location information provided by the attacker. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to craft a Java applet that appears to originate from a trusted location while actually executing code from an arbitrary location, bypassing normal security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1258 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized file access from the victim's system. This vulnerability allows remote code execution through the Java applet mechanism, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive files, execute arbitrary code, and potentially escalate privileges within the victim's environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of web browsers where users typically trust content from legitimate websites. The attack requires no special privileges from the victim, as the exploitation occurs through standard web browsing activities. This makes the vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios, especially when users visit compromised websites or click on malicious links that deliver the exploit.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and demonstrates the importance of proper parameter sanitization in security-critical components. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques found in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on Java-based attack vectors. The flaw represents a classic case of a buffer overflow or parsing error that allows privilege escalation through improper validation of user-supplied data. Organizations using affected versions of Microsoft Virtual Machine should implement immediate mitigations including disabling Java applets in web browsers, updating to patched versions of the Virtual Machine, and implementing network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in virtual machine implementations, as similar issues could exist in other components handling user-supplied data. Microsoft released patches addressing this vulnerability, but the widespread deployment of affected versions made this issue particularly problematic for enterprise environments.