Microsoft Internet Explorer up to 6 mhtml URI Security Zone defining Remote Code Execution

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer up to 6. It has been classified as very critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file defining of the component mhtml URI Security Zone Handler. Performing a manipulation results in Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2004-0380. The attack can be initiated remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists. Disabling the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer up to 6 (Web Browser). It has been classified as very critical. This affects an unknown code block of the file defining of the component mhtml URI Security Zone Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a remote code execution vulnerability. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The MHTML protocol handler in Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 SP2 through Outlook Express 6 SP1 allows remote attackers to bypass domain restrictions and execute arbitrary code, as demonstrated on Internet Explorer using script in a compiled help (CHM) file that references the InfoTech Storage (ITS) protocol handlers such as (1) ms-its, (2) ms-itss, (3) its, or (4) mk:@MSITStore, aka the "MHTML URL Processing Vulnerability."

The weakness was released 11/25/2003 by Liu Die Yu with PivX Solutions as MS04-013 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at safecenter.net. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2004-0380 since 04/05/2004. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details and a public exploit are known. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/15/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product decreasing in the near future.

The exploit is shared for download at safecenter.net. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $100k and more. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 12208 (MS04-013: Cumulative Update for Outlook Express (837009)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 90110 (Microsoft Outlook Express Cumulative Security Update Not Installed (MS04-013)).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at windowsupdate.microsoft.com. A possible mitigation has been published 5 months after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (15705), Exploit-DB (23695), Tenable (12208), SecurityFocus (BID 9658†) and OSVDB (3307†). Further details are available at clik.to. Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-412, VDB-462, VDB-591 and VDB-595. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.9

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 7.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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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: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 12208
Nessus Name: MS04-013: Cumulative Update for Outlook Express (837009)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
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Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Disable
Status: 🔍

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Patch: windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Timelineinfo

11/25/2003 🔍
11/25/2003 +0 days 🔍
01/02/2004 +38 days 🔍
04/05/2004 +93 days 🔍
04/13/2004 +8 days 🔍
04/13/2004 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2004 +21 days 🔍
09/15/2025 +7804 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS04-013
Researcher: Liu Die Yu
Organization: PivX Solutions
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-0380 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-0380
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-411

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 15705 - Microsoft Outlook Express MHTML URL allows execution of code, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 9658 - Microsoft Internet Explorer ITS Protocol Zone Bypass Vulnerability
Secunia: 10523 - Internet Explorer showHelp() Restriction Bypass Vulnerability, Highly Critical
OSVDB: 3307 - Microsoft IE showHelp() Zone Restriction Bypass
Vulnerability Center: 4110

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

Created: 11/25/2003 16:30
Updated: 09/15/2025 23:59
Changes: 11/25/2003 16:30 (66), 04/07/2017 12:00 (18), 03/09/2021 08:57 (8), 03/09/2021 08:59 (1), 06/26/2024 16:47 (15), 01/02/2025 15:05 (7), 07/12/2025 23:16 (3), 09/15/2025 23:59 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:C40:103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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