The vulnerability as described by security experts illustrates the classic trade-off between security and functionality. In giving its media player the ability to read scripts and to open Web pages, Microsoft outlines a wide array of potential uses.
"Inserting URLs into your digital media files and embedding the Windows Media Player ActiveX control in a Web page results in a powerful, synchronized presentation that is organized and convenient for your audience," reads a Microsoft Web page on the topic. "By using the ActiveX control in a script, you can create a set of framed Web pages. One frame can contain the embedded ActiveX control for playing the audio or video lecture, while another frame displays the synchronized URLs encountered in the digital media stream. The URLs can be links to additional study tools, diagrams, lecture notes, or a quiz available on the Web."
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