CVE-2003-0838
Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to bypass zone restrictions to inject and execute...
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).
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
7.5
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).
- Record
CVE-2003-0838- CVSS 2.0
- 7.5 High
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
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).
- Record
CVE-2003-0838- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2003-0829 No score
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).
- Record
EUVD-2003-0829- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-rjqq-fhgc-2rj8 No score
Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to bypass zone restrictions to inject and execute...
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).
- Record
GHSA-rjqq-fhgc-2rj8- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB | Microsoft Internet Explorer 5/6 - Browser Popup Window Object Type Validation | 2003-09-07 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2003-0838 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Microsoft Internet Explorer, published October 7, 2003. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 37.6%, the 98th percentile. No source names a fixed version.
References
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/13314
marc.info?l=bugtraq&m=106304733121753&w=2
osvdb.org/7872
marc.info?l=ntbugtraq&m=106302799428500&w=2
lists.grok.org.uk/pipermail/full-disclosure/2003-September/009639.html
marc.info?l=bugtraq&m=106304876523459&w=2
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securityfocus.com/bid/8556
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2003/ms03-040
ntbugtraq.com/default.asp?pid=36&sid=1&A2=ind0310&L=ntbugtraq&F=P&S=&P=2169
oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A204
securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.qhosts.html
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2003-0838
github.com/advisories/GHSA-rjqq-fhgc-2rj8