Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0 Help Function showhelp memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0. The impacted element is the function showhelp of the component Help Function. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability was named CVE-2003-1328. The attack may be performed from remote. In addition, an exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0 (Web Browser). It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function showhelp of the component Help Function. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The showHelp() function in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 supports certain types of pluggable protocols that allow remote attackers to bypass the cross-domain security model and execute arbitrary code, aka "Improper Cross Domain Security Validation with ShowHelp functionality."

The issue has been introduced in 11/08/1999. The weakness was presented 02/19/2003 as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is shared for download at kb.cert.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2003-1328. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details and a public exploit are known.

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 1199 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 10861 (MS02-005: MSIE 5.01 5.5 6.0 Cumulative Patch (890923)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 4123.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (11264), Exploit-DB (22226), Tenable (10861), SecurityFocus (BID 6780†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-1670†). See VDB-3, VDB-45, VDB-257 and VDB-378 for similar entries. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
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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Nessus ID: 10861
Nessus Name: MS02-005: MSIE 5.01 5.5 6.0 Cumulative Patch (890923)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 10861
OpenVAS Name: IE 5.01 5.5 6.0 Cumulative patch (890923)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

PaloAlto IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

11/08/1999 🔍
02/05/2003 +1184 days 🔍
02/19/2003 +14 days 🔍
02/19/2003 +0 days 🔍
02/19/2003 +0 days 🔍
08/13/2003 +175 days 🔍
08/07/2014 +4012 days 🔍
03/15/2025 +3873 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2003-1328 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-1328
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20148

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 11264
SecurityFocus: 6780
Vulnerability Center: 1670 - [MS03-004] Microsoft Internet Explorer showHelp() Function Bypassing of Cross-Domain Security Model, Medium

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

Entryinfo

Created: 08/07/2014 18:02
Updated: 03/15/2025 11:44
Changes: 08/07/2014 18:02 (73), 05/07/2019 12:39 (1), 06/28/2021 12:48 (3), 06/28/2021 12:55 (2), 01/02/2025 11:55 (15), 03/15/2025 11:44 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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