Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/5.0 Preloader ActiveX Control privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/5.0. This affects an unknown function of the component Preloader ActiveX Control. This manipulation causes privileges management. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-1999-0917. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/5.0 (Web Browser). Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown processing of the component Preloader ActiveX Control. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The Preloader ActiveX control used by Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files.

The issue has been introduced in 04/01/1997. The weakness was released 05/27/1999 as MS99-018 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). It is possible to read the advisory at technet.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-0917. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 786 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k.

Applying the patch MS99-018 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at technet.microsoft.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (3526) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-4253†). Additional details are provided at support.microsoft.com. Entry connected to this vulnerability is available at VDB-14670. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.0

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: MS99-018

Timelineinfo

04/01/1997 🔍
05/27/1999 +786 days 🔍
05/27/1999 +0 days 🔍
05/27/1999 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2004 +1804 days 🔍
06/20/2014 +3699 days 🔍
04/19/2026 +4321 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS99-018
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0917 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0917
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14671
X-Force: 3526
Vulnerability Center: 4253 - [MS99-018] Internet Explorer ActiveX Control Allows Files Disclosure, Medium

Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/21/2014 00:38
Updated: 04/19/2026 03:22
Changes: 06/21/2014 00:38 (47), 04/07/2017 12:06 (16), 04/19/2026 03:22 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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