CVE-2002-2311: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and possibly others allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary file contents

This week

MEDIUM 6.4WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-2311 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.4) affecting internet explorer, opera web browser. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and possibly others allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary file contents when users press a key corresponding to the JavaScript (1) event.ctrlKey or (2) event.shiftKey onkeydown event contained in a webpage. NOTE: it was reported that the vendor has disputed the severity of this issue.

Why this priority

EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.4 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	9.5% (top 5%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2002-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: microsoft · opera software

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

microsoft internet explorer DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.0 · 5.0.1 · 5.5 · 5.5 sp1 · 5.5 sp2 · 6.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy internet-explorer || rpm -q internet-explorer || internet-explorer --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison internet-explorer sudo apt install internet-explorer=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0> sudo apt-mark hold internet-explorer

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list internet-explorer sudo dnf downgrade internet-explorer-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add internet-explorer

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

opera software opera web browser DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.0.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy opera-web-browser || rpm -q opera-web-browser || opera-web-browser --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.0.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison opera-web-browser sudo apt install opera-web-browser=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.0.1> sudo apt-mark hold opera-web-browser

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list opera-web-browser sudo dnf downgrade opera-web-browser-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.0.1> sudo dnf versionlock add opera-web-browser

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2002-2311?

internet explorer: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; opera web browser: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-2311 being exploited?

CVE-2002-2311 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2002-2311 affect?

CVE-2002-2311 affects internet explorer, opera web browser. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.4). Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and possibly others allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary file contents when users press a key corresponding to the JavaScript (1) event.ctrlKey or (2) event.shiftKey onkeydown event contained in a webp

How urgent is CVE-2002-2311?

Priority 56/100. EPSS top 5%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Internet Explorer vulnerabilities

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References

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