CVE-2004-1043
CVE-2004-1043 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 45% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.0)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 45% (99th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Affected product: Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Internet Explorer 6.0 on Windows XP SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by using the "Related Topics" command in the Help ActiveX Control (hhctrl.ocx) to open a Help popup window containing the PCHealth tools.htm file in the local zone and injecting Javascript to be executed, as demonstrated using "writehta.txt" and the ADODB recordset, which saves a .HTA file to the local system, aka the "HTML Help ActiveX control Cross Domain Vulnerability."
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2004-1043?
- Internet Explorer 6.0 on Windows XP SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by using the "Related Topics" command in the Help ActiveX Control (hhctrl.ocx) to open a Help popup window containing the PCHealth tools.htm file in the local zone and injecting Javascript to be executed, as demonstrated using "writehta.txt" and the ADODB recordset, which saves a .HTA file to the local system, aka the "HTML Help ActiveX control Cross Domain Vulnerability."
- How severe is CVE-2004-1043?
- CVE-2004-1043 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.0, rated medium severity.
- Is CVE-2004-1043 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 45% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2004-1043?
- CVE-2004-1043 primarily affects Microsoft Internet Explorer. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2004-1043?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2004-1043 published?
- CVE-2004-1043 was published on 2004-12-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2004-12/0426.html
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/972415
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA05-012B.html
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2005/ms05-001
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/18311
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1349
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1963
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A2830
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A3496
Affected products (2)
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp2:tablet_pc:*:*:*:*:*
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