CVE-2006-3281Internet Explorer Vulnerability
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 does not properly handle Drag and Drop events, which allows remote user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a link to an SMB file share with a filename that contains encoded ..\ (%2e%2e%5c) sequences and whose extension contains the…
Published Jun 28, 2006 · Updated Apr 15, 2026
Key Facts
Routine patching- CVE-2006-3281 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.1 v2) affecting Internet Explorer (Microsoft).
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 48% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: routine patching, as no exploitation is known and its severity is moderate or low.
Scores
CVSS v2
5.1
AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
48%
Higher than 98.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
36/100
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
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
1
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisory20825
- advisoryADV-2006-2553
Description
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 does not properly handle Drag and Drop events, which allows remote user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a link to an SMB file share with a filename that contains encoded ..\ (%2e%2e%5c) sequences and whose extension contains the CLSID Key identifier for HTML Applications (HTA), aka "Folder GUID Code Execution Vulnerability."
NOTE: directory traversal sequences were used in the original exploit, although their role is not clear.
Affected Products
1 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Internet ExplorerMicrosoft | 6.0 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jun 28, 2006
Last updated
Apr 15, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-20 Improper Input Validation
References
- advisory20825
- advisoryADV-2006-2553
- exploitlists.grok.org.uk · PLEBO-2006.06.16-IE_ONE_MINOR_ONE_MAJOR.obj
- exploitExploitDB-28357
- other20060627 IE_ONE_MINOR_ONE_MAJOR
FAQ
Common Questions.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 does not properly handle Drag and Drop events, which allows remote user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a link to an SMB file share with a filename that contains encoded ..\ (%2e%2e%5c) sequences and whose extension contains the CLSID Key identifier for HTML Application…
Affected: Internet Explorer (Microsoft) versions 6.0. 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: routine patching, as no exploitation is known and its severity is moderate or low.
Is CVE-2006-3281 On Your Attack Surface?
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