How severe is CVE-2003-1521?

CVE-2003-1521 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.4, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2003-1521 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2003-1521?

CVE-2003-1521 primarily affects Sun Java Plug-in. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2003-1521?

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

When was CVE-2003-1521 published?

CVE-2003-1521 was published on 2003-12-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2003-1521

CVE-2003-1521 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Sun Java Plug-in with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 6.4)
EPSS exploit prediction: 6% (92nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Sun Java Plug-in
Published: 2003-12-31
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Sun Java Plug-In 1.4 through 1.4.2_02 allows remote attackers to repeatedly access the floppy drive via the createXmlDocument method in the org.apache.crimson.tree.XmlDocument class, which violates the Java security model.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2003-1521?: Sun Java Plug-In 1.4 through 1.4.2_02 allows remote attackers to repeatedly access the floppy drive via the createXmlDocument method in the org.apache.crimson.tree.XmlDocument class, which violates the Java security model.
How severe is CVE-2003-1521?: CVE-2003-1521 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.4, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2003-1521 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2003-1521?: CVE-2003-1521 primarily affects Sun Java Plug-in. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2003-1521?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2003-1521 published?: CVE-2003-1521 was published on 2003-12-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:sun:java_plug-in:1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:sun:java_plug-in:1.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:sun:java_plug-in:1.4.2_01:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:sun:java_plug-in:1.4.2_02:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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