CVE-2006-1016: Internet Explorer IsComponentInstalled buffer overflow allows remote code execution

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 19 September 2026. Confidence: high.

high priorityThe flaw allows unauthenticated remote code execution, has a public Metasploit module, and carries a very high EPSS score, though it is not in CISA KEV and affects only legacy unpatched Windows versions.

What it is

Internet Explorer 6.0 contains a buffer overflow in the IsComponentInstalled method when running on Windows 2000 before SP4 or Windows XP before SP1. A remote attacker can trigger it with JavaScript that passes a long first argument, which can corrupt memory and lead to code execution. The flaw matters because it is reachable from a web page in a widely deployed browser on unpatched legacy systems.

Impact

An attacker who successfully exploits the overflow can execute arbitrary code in the context of the browsing user. That typically gives the attacker the user's privileges on the host, enabling further compromise of data and the local system.

Attack surface

The vulnerability is reached over the network through JavaScript executed in Internet Explorer 6.0, for example when a victim visits a malicious or compromised page. No authentication is required, but the victim must load the crafted content in the affected browser on the specified unpatched Windows versions.

Exploitation

A public Metasploit exploit module exists for this issue, and EPSS gives a high 30-day probability of 0.66954 (99.261st percentile). It is not listed in CISA KEV, so there is no confirmed evidence of exploitation in the wild from that source.

What to do

• Apply the Microsoft security update that addresses this vulnerability, or upgrade Internet Explorer and the underlying Windows version to a supported, patched release.
• Upgrade Windows 2000 to SP4 or later and Windows XP to SP1 or later, since the flaw only affects versions before those service packs.
• Disable or restrict JavaScript execution in Internet Explorer where business needs allow, and block untrusted sites through browser security zones.
• Retire or isolate Internet Explorer 6.0 on legacy Windows 2000 and XP systems that cannot be patched.
• Use network and endpoint controls to block known exploit delivery paths and malicious web content.

Detection

• Monitor for Internet Explorer processes spawning unexpected child processes or making suspicious network connections after browsing activity.
• Search proxy and web logs for requests to known Metasploit exploit module paths or pages that deliver the IsComponentInstalled exploit.
• Use endpoint detection to flag memory corruption indicators in iexplore.exe, such as crashes or anomalous code execution in the browser process.
• Inventory hosts still running Windows 2000 before SP4 or Windows XP before SP1 with Internet Explorer 6.0 and treat them as high-risk.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.