Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/4.0.1 Dotless IP Address URL privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/4.0.1. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Dotless IP Address Handler. Performing a manipulation as part of URL results in privileges management. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-1999-1087. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/4.0.1 (Web Browser). This affects some unknown functionality of the component Dotless IP Address Handler. The manipulation as part of a URL leads to a privileges management vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Internet Explorer 4 treats a 32-bit number ("dotless IP address") in the a URL as the hostname instead of an IP address, which causes IE to apply Local Intranet Zone settings to the resulting web page, allowing remote malicious web servers to conduct unauthorized activities by using URLs that contain the dotless IP address for their server.

The issue has been introduced in 04/01/1997. The weakness was shared 12/31/1999 as MS98-016 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared at technet.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-1087. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1004 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k.

Upgrading to version 5.0 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch MS98-016 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at technet.microsoft.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (2209), OSVDB (7828†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-4325†). Further details are available at support.microsoft.com. The entries VDB-15131 and VDB-15130 are related to this item. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

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: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Internet Explorer 5.0
Patch: MS98-016

Timelineinfo

04/01/1997 🔍
10/23/1998 +570 days 🔍
12/31/1999 +434 days 🔍
12/31/1999 +0 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +1560 days 🔍
05/20/2004 +41 days 🔍
06/22/2014 +3685 days 🔍
04/20/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS98-016
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-1999-1087 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1087
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-15129
X-Force: 2209 - Microsoft Internet Explorer treats dotless IP addresses as members of the local Intranet zone
OSVDB: 7828 - Microsoft IE Dotless IP Address Zone Privilege Escalation
Vulnerability Center: 4325 - [MS98-016] Internet Explorer 4 Dotless IP Address Allow Local Intranet Zone Settings, Critical

Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/22/2014 16:48
Updated: 04/20/2026 03:31
Changes: 06/22/2014 16:48 (71), 04/07/2017 12:06 (1), 04/20/2026 03:31 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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