CVE-1999-0059 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
irix fam service allows an attacker to obtain a list of all files on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-0059 affects the irix fam service, which is part of the File Access Manager system in SGI IRIX operating systems. This service was designed to provide file monitoring capabilities but contained a critical flaw that allowed unauthorized users to enumerate all files accessible to the service. The vulnerability represents a significant information disclosure issue that could enable attackers to gain comprehensive knowledge of the server's file structure and potentially identify sensitive files or directories that might be exploited in subsequent attacks.
The technical flaw in the irix fam service stems from insufficient access controls and improper authentication mechanisms within the file enumeration functions. When an attacker connects to the service, they can issue specific commands that trigger the service to return directory listings of all files accessible to the fam service process. This occurs because the service does not properly validate incoming requests or enforce proper authorization checks before responding to file listing queries. The vulnerability exists at the protocol level where the service accepts and processes directory traversal commands without adequate security validation, making it trivial for any remote user to obtain file system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the target server's file system organization. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for further exploitation activities, including identifying sensitive configuration files, executable binaries, or potential attack vectors within the system. The vulnerability affects systems running SGI IRIX operating systems and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the fam service might be exposed to untrusted networks. The information obtained through this vulnerability can be leveraged to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper network segmentation to restrict access to the fam service, disabling the service entirely if it is not required for operations, and applying the appropriate vendor patches released for IRIX systems. Organizations should also implement firewall rules to block access to the specific ports used by the fam service from untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers information disclosure issues, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering file and directory permissions. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all services running on IRIX systems to identify and disable unnecessary services that might expose similar information disclosure vulnerabilities, while also ensuring that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized enumeration of system resources.