Microsoft Internet Explorer up to 6 Popup Object Type aolfix.exe Remote Code Execution

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer up to 6. It has been classified as critical. Impacted is an unknown function of the file aolfix.exe of the component Popup Object Type Handler. This manipulation causes Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2003-0838. 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 was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer up to 6 (Web Browser). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown code block of the file aolfix.exe of the component Popup Object Type Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a remote code execution vulnerability. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was presented 10/03/2003 by http-equiv with Microsoft as MS03-040 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared at microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-0838 since 10/02/2003. 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. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

It is possible to download the exploit at malware.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $25k-$100k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 100000 (Microsoft Internet Explorer Multiple Object Type Vulnerabilities (MS03-040)).

Applying the patch MS03-040 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at microsoft.com. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 8480.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (13300), Exploit-DB (23114), SecurityFocus (BID 8565†), OSVDB (7887†) and Secunia (SA9935†). Additional details are provided at microsoft.com. See VDB-20970 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: 6.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.7

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Remote Code Execution
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

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

EPSS Score: 🔍
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Price Prediction: 🔍
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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: MS03-040
TippingPoint: 🔍
PaloAlto IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

09/07/2003 🔍
09/08/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/02/2003 +24 days 🔍
10/03/2003 +1 days 🔍
10/06/2003 +3 days 🔍
11/17/2003 +42 days 🔍
12/02/2003 +15 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +128 days 🔍
03/17/2025 +7647 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS03-040
Researcher: Discovery (http-equiv)
Organization: Microsoft
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2003-0838 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0838
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-313

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 13300 - Microsoft Internet Explorer XML Web page containing Object Data tags could allow an attacker to execute code, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 8565 - Microsoft Internet Explorer XML Page Object Type Validation Vulnerability
Secunia: 9935 - Microsoft Internet Explorer Update fixes the Object Data Vulnerability, Extremely Critical
OSVDB: 7887 - Microsoft IE XML Data Binding Object Tag Arbitrary Command Execution
SecuriTeam: securiteam.com
Vulnerability Center: 3076 - [MS03-040] Internet Explorer Allows Code Execution Using ActiveX Object, Medium

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

Entryinfo

Created: 10/06/2003 14:13
Updated: 03/17/2025 04:22
Changes: 10/06/2003 14:13 (65), 04/07/2017 12:00 (28), 03/08/2021 18:33 (3), 03/08/2021 18:39 (3), 03/17/2025 04:22 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:BDF:103

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

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