Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0 Stylesheet cssText File information disclosure

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component Stylesheet Handler. Performing a manipulation of the argument cssText with the input { results in information disclosure (File). This vulnerability was named CVE-2002-0191. The attack may be initiated remotely. In addition, an exploit is available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0 (Web Browser). This affects some unknown functionality of the component Stylesheet Handler. The manipulation of the argument cssText with the input value { leads to a information disclosure vulnerability (File). CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-200. The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5 and 6.0 allows remote attackers to view arbitrary files that contain the "{" character via script containing the cssText property of the stylesheet object, aka "Local Information Disclosure through HTML Object" vulnerability.

The issue has been introduced in 11/08/1999. The weakness was presented 05/29/2002 by GreyMagic as MS02-023 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared at microsoft.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2002-0191. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details and a public exploit are known. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1592 for this issue.

The exploit is shared for download at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 933 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k.

Applying the patch MS02-023 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at microsoft.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (9090), Exploit-DB (21361), SecurityFocus (BID 4411†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-3148†). See VDB-18150, VDB-18151, VDB-18152 and VDB-18155 for similar entries. 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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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

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Exploitinginfo

Name: File
Class: Information disclosure / File
CWE: CWE-200 / CWE-284 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: MS02-023

Timelineinfo

11/08/1999 🔍
04/02/2002 +876 days 🔍
04/02/2002 +0 days 🔍
05/29/2002 +57 days 🔍
05/29/2002 +0 days 🔍
12/11/2003 +561 days 🔍
07/11/2014 +3865 days 🔍
06/14/2025 +3991 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS02-023
Researcher: GreyMagic
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2002-0191 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-0191
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-18153
X-Force: 9090
SecurityFocus: 4411
Vulnerability Center: 3148 - [MS02-023] Internet Explorer Allows Remote Attackers to View Arbitrary Files that Contain \, Medium

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

Entryinfo

Created: 07/11/2014 13:59
Updated: 06/14/2025 04:51
Changes: 07/11/2014 13:59 (68), 04/07/2017 12:07 (2), 06/14/2025 04:51 (24)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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