CVE-1999-1219 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in sgihelp in the SGI help system and print manager in IRIX 5.2 and earlier allows local users to gain root privileges, possibly through the clogin command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1219 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the SGI help system and print manager components of IRIX operating systems version 5.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the sgihelp utility which is part of the SGI help system and print manager functionality. The flaw enables local users to escalate their privileges to root access, presenting a significant security risk for systems running these older IRIX versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the sgihelp utility and related components of the SGI help system. When users execute the clogin command or interact with the help system, the underlying code fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters. This allows malicious local users to manipulate the system's privilege escalation mechanisms and gain unauthorized root access. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue that does not require network access or remote exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to system security as it allows any local user to achieve root privileges without requiring authentication or specific credentials. The clogin command serves as the primary vector for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local access might be more readily available. Systems running IRIX 5.2 and earlier versions would be completely compromised once an attacker gains local access, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which addresses "Improper Privilege Management" in software systems. This weakness specifically manifests when software components fail to properly enforce privilege separation or when privilege escalation mechanisms contain logical flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through local exploitation, specifically targeting the T1068 technique of "Local Privilege Escalation" and potentially the T1548.001 technique of "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism" through local system manipulation. Organizations with legacy IRIX systems would need to implement immediate mitigations including system updates, privilege restrictions, and monitoring for unauthorized local access attempts to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-1999-1219 should include immediate patching of IRIX systems to versions that address the privilege escalation flaw in sgihelp and related components. System administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual activity related to the clogin command or help system usage. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary local user accounts, implementing proper privilege separation, and conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Given the age of IRIX 5.2 and earlier versions, organizations should consider migrating to supported operating systems to avoid similar vulnerabilities in the future.