CVE-2003-0838

What it is

Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to bypass zone restrictions to inject and execute arbitrary programs by creating a popup window and inserting ActiveX object code with a "data" tag pointing to the malicious code, which Internet Explorer treats as HTML or Javascript, but later executes as an HTA application, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0532, and as exploited using the QHosts Trojan horse (aka Trojan.Qhosts, QHosts-1, VBS.QHOSTS, or aolfix.exe).

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

37.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2003-11-17 05:00 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 22:03 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 37.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2003-11-17 05:00 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 22:03 UTC

Exploit probability

37.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Microsoft Ie 6.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0.1
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 7.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Partial

Integrity

Partial

Availability

Partial

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-2003-0838.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2003-0838. 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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