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Weird CD-ROM/Browser Connection

May 31, 2003 12:22 PM
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Via Waxy.Org, I've learned that it's possible (using VBScript or JavaScript hooking into ActiveX) to eject someone's CD-ROM drives if they browse your site using Internet Explorer for Windows. I tested the VBScript one in IE6 for WinXP, and it worked as advertised. Freaky, especially because this was posted two months ago, and Microsoft still hasn't patched it.

Here's a bookmarklet version: click here to eject your CD-ROM drive.


Comments: Weird CD-ROM/Browser Connection

That is VERY freaky. I didn't think you could affect any hardware through a website (not even causing files to be deleted from a hard drive, much less changing someone's volume setting or ejecting a CD-ROM)!

Posted by: Daniel Grossberg on May 31, 2003 2:02 PM | permalink

By the way it _only_ works in IE.

When they could be fixing CSS bugs they spend time making _features_ like that, thats our good old Microsoft for ya...

Posted by: zlog on May 31, 2003 5:01 PM | permalink

I guess this is so-called an IE bug? Unfortunately Microsoft doesn't use Bugzilla.

Posted by: Lim Chee Aun on May 31, 2003 10:04 PM | permalink

no me parece lo del a muerte de internet

Posted by: ana on September 24, 2003 9:43 PM | permalink

well, this is not a bug! this is for the people who want to make a jukebox on the internet, or make a webware application... so the functionality has been provided to facilitate the developers and the users, ultimately... and the way i see it, ejecting a cd-rom poses no harm, hence, it is not supposed to be patched in any sort in my opinion...

Posted by: Neo on November 14, 2003 6:12 PM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.