Which products and versions are affected by CVE-2003-0309?

Affected: Internet Explorer (Microsoft) versions 6.0.2800. The full list is in the CVE brief.

Is CVE-2003-0309 being exploited in the wild?

It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.

Is CVE-2003-0309 in the CISA KEV catalog?

No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Is there a public exploit for CVE-2003-0309?

Public exploit code is available.

Is there a fix for CVE-2003-0309?

No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

How urgently should CVE-2003-0309 be patched?

Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

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CVE-2003-0309Internet Explorer Vulnerability

Published Jun 9, 2003 · Updated Apr 15, 2026

Key Facts

Patch immediately

CVE-2003-0309 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v2) affecting Internet Explorer (Microsoft).
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
EPSS estimates a 50% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

Scores

CVSS v2

7.5

AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

50%

Higher than 98.8% of all scored CVEs

Exploit maturity

Proof of concept

ATLAS score

38/100

Publication score, see How it works

Exploitation Verdict

KEV listed

Not listed

Federal due date

None

No federal due date

Ransomware use

Not reported

Attributed actors

None named

Exploit & Defence Guidance

Exploit maturity

Proof of concept

Public exploit code

Proof-of-concept links

In-the-wild evidence

Reports of active use

Description

Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 allows remote attackers to bypass security zone restrictions and execute arbitrary programs via a web document with a large number of duplicate file:// or other requests that point to the program and open multiple file download dialogs, which eventually cause Internet Explorer to execute the program, as demonstrated using a large number of FRAME or IFRAME tags, aka the "File Download Dialog Vulnerability."

Affected Products

1 affected entries in total

Product	Affected versions	Fixed in
Internet ExplorerMicrosoft	6.0.2800	n/a

Timeline

Publicly disclosed
Jun 9, 2003
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026

References

5 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5, and 6.0 allows remote attackers to bypass security zone restrictions and execute arbitrary programs via a web document with a large number of duplicate file:// or other requests that point to the program and open multiple file download dialogs, which eventually cause Internet Explorer to e…
Affected: Internet Explorer (Microsoft) versions 6.0.2800. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.

Is CVE-2003-0309 On Your Attack Surface?

Brandefense matches it against the products discovered on your perimeter and opens a finding the day a CVE like this is listed.