Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0 IFRAME Rendering 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 identified as very critical has been detected in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0. Affected is an unknown function of the component IFRAME Rendering. The manipulation leads to Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2003-0309. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. Furthermore, an exploit is available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01/5.5/6.0 (Web Browser). This issue affects some unknown functionality of the component IFRAME Rendering. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a remote code execution vulnerability. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 allows remote attackers to bypass security zone restrictions and execute arbitrary programs via a web document with a large number of duplicate file:// or other requests that point to the program and open multiple file download dialogs, which eventually cause Internet Explorer to execute the program, as demonstrated using a large number of FRAME or IFRAME tags, aka the "File Download Dialog Vulnerability."

The issue has been introduced in 07/08/2000. The weakness was published 05/09/2003 by Marek Bialoglowy as MS03-020 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared at microsoft.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2003-0309 since 05/16/2003. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

A public exploit has been developed in RAR Archive. The exploit is available at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1035 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 100002 (Microsoft Internet Explorer Multiple Vulnerabilities (MS03-020)).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at securityfocus.com. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 2021.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (12019), Exploit-DB (22575), SecurityFocus (BID 7539†), OSVDB (2968†) and Secunia (SA8807†). Similar entries are available at VDB-92 and VDB-20555. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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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

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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
Programming Language: 🔍
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
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Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: securityfocus.com
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

Timelineinfo

07/08/2000 🔍
05/08/2003 +1034 days 🔍
05/09/2003 +0 days 🔍
05/09/2003 +0 days 🔍
05/09/2003 +0 days 🔍
05/16/2003 +7 days 🔍
06/09/2003 +24 days 🔍
11/11/2003 +155 days 🔍
12/12/2003 +31 days 🔍
03/16/2025 +7765 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS03-020
Researcher: Marek Bialoglowy
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2003-0309 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0309
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-65

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 12019 - Microsoft Internet Explorer FRAME or IFRAME bypass restrictions, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 7539 - Internet Explorer file:// Request Zone Bypass Vulnerability
Secunia: 8807 - Internet Explorer Automatic File Download and Execution Vulnerability, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 2968 - Microsoft IE File Download Dialog Overflow
Vulnerability Center: 2819 - Internet Explorer 6.0.2800 Allows Security Zone Restrictions Bypass, Medium

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

Entryinfo

Created: 05/09/2003 02:00
Updated: 03/16/2025 20:02
Changes: 05/09/2003 02:00 (63), 05/07/2019 12:37 (34), 03/08/2021 09:58 (3), 12/31/2024 04:08 (16), 03/16/2025 20:02 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:B3B:103

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

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