CRITICALPOC
CVE-2001-0538
NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: August 14, 2001· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
10.0
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
Microsoft Outlook View ActiveX Control in Microsoft Outlook 2002 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a malicious HTML e-mail message or web page.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2001-0538 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2001-0538. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityC
IntegrityC
AvailabilityC
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Affected Vendors & Products
Microsoft1 product(s)
outlook
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
All References (14)
→
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/131569US Government Resource
→
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/131569US Government Resource
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2001-0538
CVSS Score10.0 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedAug 14, 2001
Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2001-0538 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.