CVE-2004-0549

What it is

The WebBrowser ActiveX control, or the Internet Explorer HTML rendering engine (MSHTML), as used in Internet Explorer 6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the Local Security context by using the showModalDialog method and modifying the location to execute code such as Javascript, as demonstrated using (1) delayed HTTP redirect operations, and an HTTP response with a Location: header containing a "URL:" prepended to a "ms-its" protocol URI, or (2) modifying the location attribute of the window, as exploited by the Download.ject (aka Scob aka Toofer) using the ADODB.Stream object.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

61.1% 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. 2004-06-11 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2004-08-06 04:00 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 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: 61.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 10.0 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
• It meets the bar for Drop everything: critical, and exploited or very likely to be.

Details

Published

2004-08-06 04:00 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 22:05 UTC

Exploit probability

61.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 10.0

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Complete

Integrity

Complete

Availability

Complete

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-2004-0549.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2004-0549. 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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