CVE-2004-0216

Integer overflow in the Install Engine (inseng.dll) for Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious…

published October 16, 2004

CVSS
—
EPSS
49%
Percentile
98.9
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ An integer overflow in the Install Engine of old Internet Explorer versions opens the door for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code! Think of it like packing a suitcase with more clothes than it can hold. If you try to stuff it too full, the contents spill out everywhere—just like how this vulnerability can cause chaos in your system when a malicious website is involved. An attacker could craft a malicious website or HTML email that exploits this overflow, leading to arbitrary code execution. If successful, they could take over the system, steal sensitive information, and wreak havoc! While not actively exploited, the potential for damage is still an alarming concern.

Put simply

Think of it like packing a suitcase with more clothes than it can hold. If you try to stuff it too full, the contents spill out everywhere—just like how this vulnerability can cause chaos in your system when a malicious website is involved. This vulnerability occurs due to an integer overflow when processing overly long .CAB file names, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow. Attackers can leverage this weakness to run their code on the victim's system without authorization.

What to do

An attacker could craft a malicious website or HTML email that exploits this overflow, leading to arbitrary code execution. If successful, they could take over the system, steal sensitive information, and wreak havoc! While not actively exploited, the potential for damage is still an alarming concern. To remediate this vulnerability, it's crucial to upgrade to a more secure browser version or consider switching to a supported alternative. Additionally, avoid using outdated versions of Internet Explorer and educate users about the risks of opening suspicious emails. You've got this! By staying proactive, you can keep your systems safe and secure. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.48671 · 98.9th percentile
Published
2004-10-16T04:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 16 OCT 04:00Z
    Integer overflow in the Install Engine (inseng.dll) for Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious…
    cvelistv5