CVE-1999-0029 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
root privileges via buffer overflow in ordist command on sgi irix systems.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0029 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the ordist command on SGI IRIX operating systems that allows attackers to escalate privileges to root level. This issue stems from improper input validation within the ordist utility, which is part of the SGI IRIX system administration tools. The buffer overflow occurs when the command processes user-supplied arguments without adequate bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain elevated system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic stack-based buffer overflow scenario where the ordist command fails to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. When an attacker provides input exceeding the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially overwriting critical program variables including return addresses. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code, ultimately allowing privilege escalation from regular user to root level access. The vulnerability specifically affects SGI IRIX systems where the ordist command is installed and executable with appropriate permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-0029 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of affected SGI IRIX systems. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain complete control over the system, enabling them to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, install backdoors, or conduct further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level where the ordist command may be accessible to unprivileged users, creating a persistent security risk. Systems running vulnerable versions of SGI IRIX are at significant risk of complete compromise, with potential for data breaches, system downtime, and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves applying the official SGI security patches that address the buffer overflow in the ordist command through proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should also implement restrictive access controls, limiting execution privileges of the ordist command to only authorized administrative users. Network segmentation and monitoring of system calls related to the ordist utility can help detect exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the broader category of memory safety issues in software development practices. The attack vector for this vulnerability corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of local privileges to escalate access rights within a system environment. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other system utilities, as this represents a common class of exploitable flaws that can lead to complete system compromise.