CVE-2004-0501

What it is

Outlook 2003 allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and cause Outlook to request a URL from a remote site via an HTML e-mail message containing a Vector Markup Language (VML) entity whose src parameter points to the remote site, which could allow remote attackers to know when a message has been read, verify valid e-mail addresses, and possibly leak other information.

At a glance

Exploitability

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

Exploit odds

18.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2004-08-18 04:00 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 22:05 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 18.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2004-08-18 04:00 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 22:05 UTC

Exploit probability

18.7% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Microsoft Outlook 2003

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 5.0

Attack vector

Network

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-2004-0501.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2004-0501. 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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