CVE-2001-1497

What it is

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 through 6.0 could allow local users to differentiate between alphanumeric and non-alphanumeric characters used in a password by pressing certain control keys that jump between non-alphanumeric characters, which makes it easier to conduct a brute-force password guessing attack.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

2.0% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2001-12-31 05:00 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 21:56 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 2.0% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 2.1 LOW (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2001-12-31 05:00 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 21:56 UTC

Exploit probability

2.0% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Microsoft Ie 4.0
• Microsoft Ie 4.0.1
• Microsoft Ie 4.1
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0.1
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 2.1

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Partial

Integrity

None

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2001-1497.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2001-1497. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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