CVE-2011-1997

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a deleted…

published October 12, 2011

CVSS
—
EPSS
14%
Percentile
96.6
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A crafty memory mishap in Internet Explorer 6 could let attackers execute code remotely, unlocking a treasure chest of unauthorized access! ⚡ Think of this vulnerability like a restaurant that forgets to take a dish off the menu after it's been sold out; customers can still order it, possibly getting something unexpected and unwanted instead. Here, the old object in memory is like that dish — just waiting for an unwelcome request! If exploited, an attacker could gain control of the user's system, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or full system compromise. That's absolutely devastating for anyone still using this browser — they could be serving up their data on a silver platter!

Put simply

Think of this vulnerability like a restaurant that forgets to take a dish off the menu after it's been sold out; customers can still order it, possibly getting something unexpected and unwanted instead. Here, the old object in memory is like that dish — just waiting for an unwelcome request! This vulnerability arises because Internet Explorer 6 fails to manage memory correctly, allowing attackers to access and execute code on deleted objects, thus bypassing security mechanisms.

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could gain control of the user's system, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or full system compromise. That's absolutely devastating for anyone still using this browser — they could be serving up their data on a silver platter! To safeguard against this vulnerability, ensure that all users are migrated to a modern browser and discontinue using Internet Explorer 6. Additionally, keep software and systems updated to the latest versions to avoid similar issues. You've got this! Upgrade your systems and keep your data safe! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.14476 · 96.6th percentile
Published
2011-10-12T01:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 12 OCT 01:00Z
    Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a deleted…
    cvelistv5