How severe is CVE-2002-1291?

CVE-2002-1291 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2002-1291 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 18% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2002-1291?

CVE-2002-1291 affects Microsoft Java Virtual Machine. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2002-1291?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2002-1291 published?

CVE-2002-1291 was published on 2002-11-29 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2002-1291

CVE-2002-1291 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Java Virtual Machine with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 18% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 18% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Microsoft Java Virtual Machine
Published: 2002-11-29
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The Microsoft Java implementation, as used in Internet Explorer, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary local files and network shares via an applet tag with a codebase set to a "file://%00" (null character) URL.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2002-1291?: The Microsoft Java implementation, as used in Internet Explorer, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary local files and network shares via an applet tag with a codebase set to a "file://%00" (null character) URL.
How severe is CVE-2002-1291?: CVE-2002-1291 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2002-1291 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 18% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2002-1291?: CVE-2002-1291 affects Microsoft Java Virtual Machine. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2002-1291?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2002-1291 published?: CVE-2002-1291 was published on 2002-11-29 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:java_virtual_machine:1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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