Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 DHTML iframe privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the component DHTML Handler. This manipulation of the argument iframe causes privileges management. This vulnerability appears as CVE-1999-1472. The attack may be initiated remotely. In addition, an exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (Web Browser). Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown part of the component DHTML Handler. The manipulation of the argument iframe 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. The summary by CVE is:

Internet Explorer 4.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary text and HTML files on the user's machine via a small IFRAME that uses Dynamic HTML (DHTML) to send the data to the attacker, aka the Freiburg text-viewing issue.

The issue has been introduced in 04/01/1997. The weakness was presented 12/31/1999 by Aleph One as not defined posting (Bugtraq). The advisory is shared at marc.theaimsgroup.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-1472. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details and also a exploit are known. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue.

After even before and not, there has been an exploit disclosed. It is declared as proof-of-concept. 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.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (587) and OSVDB (7819†). See VDB-15194 for similar entry. 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: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.8

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.8
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: Proof-of-Concept

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

Timelineinfo

04/01/1997 🔍
10/17/1997 +199 days 🔍
12/31/1999 +805 days 🔍
12/31/1999 +0 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +1560 days 🔍
06/23/2014 +3727 days 🔍
04/20/2026 +4319 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: marc.theaimsgroup.com
Researcher: Aleph One
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-1999-1472 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1472
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-15193
X-Force: 587 - Microsoft Internet Explorer Freiburg text viewing issue
OSVDB: 7819 - Microsoft IE Small IFRAME DHTML Arbitrary File Access

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/23/2014 13:07
Updated: 04/20/2026 06:51
Changes: 06/23/2014 13:07 (62), 04/07/2017 12:06 (3), 04/20/2026 06:51 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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