Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5/6.0 MHTML URL memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5/6.0. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component MHTML URL Handler. This manipulation causes memory corruption. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2004-0380. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. Furthermore, an exploit is available. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5/6.0 (Mail Client Software). Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown function of the component MHTML URL Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The bug was discovered 02/13/2004. The weakness was published 04/13/2004 by Thor Larholm and Isabelle with Microsoft as MS04-013 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). It is possible to read the advisory at microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2004-0380 since 04/05/2004. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

After before and not just, there has been an exploit disclosed. It is possible to download the exploit 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 60 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. 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 the patch MS04-013 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at windowsupdate.microsoft.com. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 2566.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (15316), Exploit-DB (23695), Tenable (12208), SecurityFocus (BID 9658†) and OSVDB (5242†). Additional details are provided at support.microsoft.com. Similar entries are available at VDB-411, VDB-591 and VDB-81833. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.3

VulDB Base Score: 8.1
VulDB Temp Score: 7.3
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CVSSv2info

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
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ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
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Nessus ID: 12208
Nessus Name: MS04-013: Cumulative Update for Outlook Express (837009)
Nessus File: 🔍
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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
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Patch: MS04-013
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Timelineinfo

02/13/2004 🔍
02/13/2004 +0 days 🔍
02/13/2004 +0 days 🔍
03/28/2004 +44 days 🔍
04/05/2004 +8 days 🔍
04/13/2004 +8 days 🔍
04/13/2004 +0 days 🔍
04/13/2004 +0 days 🔍
04/13/2004 +0 days 🔍
04/14/2004 +0 days 🔍
04/14/2004 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2004 +20 days 🔍
09/15/2025 +7804 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS04-013
Researcher: Thor Larholm, Isabelle
Organization: Microsoft
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-0380 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-0380
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-595

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 15316
SecurityFocus: 9658 - Microsoft Internet Explorer ITS Protocol Zone Bypass Vulnerability
Secunia: 11067 - Microsoft Outlook Express MHTML URL Processing Vulnerability, Highly Critical
OSVDB: 5242 - Microsoft IE/Outlook MHTML .chm ITS Protocol Handler Code Execution
Vulnerability Center: 4110 - [MS04-013] Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 and Outlook Express 6 Allow Code Execution, Medium

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

Created: 04/14/2004 10:49
Updated: 09/15/2025 23:59
Changes: 04/14/2004 10:49 (91), 06/28/2019 09:05 (9), 03/09/2021 13:14 (2), 01/02/2025 15:05 (15), 07/12/2025 23:16 (2), 09/15/2025 23:59 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:3A8:103

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