CVE-1999-1423 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
ping in Solaris 2.3 through 2.6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) via a ping request to a multicast address through the loopback interface, e.g. via ping -i.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1423 represents a critical denial of service flaw in the ping utility of Solaris operating systems version 2.3 through 2.6. This issue stems from improper handling of multicast ping requests directed through the loopback interface, creating a scenario where malicious local users can deliberately crash the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users execute ping commands with multicast addresses, particularly those routed through the loopback interface, leading to system instability and complete service disruption.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation and packet processing mechanisms within the Solaris ping implementation. When a ping request is sent to a multicast address through the loopback interface, the system fails to properly validate the packet structure and routing parameters, resulting in a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition. This flaw operates at the network layer where the ping utility processes incoming multicast packets, essentially allowing attackers to exploit the protocol handling logic through malformed or specially crafted ping requests. The vulnerability is classified as a type of buffer overflow under CWE-121, which represents a common weakness in software design where insufficient bounds checking allows memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it provides local attackers with a straightforward method to disrupt network services and potentially compromise system availability. Since the vulnerability exists within the core networking utilities of Solaris, successful exploitation can lead to complete system instability, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations. The local privilege requirement makes this particularly concerning for environments where untrusted users have access to system resources, as it allows for easy exploitation without requiring elevated privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques categorized under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, specifically targeting system availability through network protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-1999-1423 primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches provided by Sun Microsystems, which address the underlying packet processing logic in the ping utility. System administrators should immediately implement the official Solaris patches that correct the multicast address handling behavior and implement proper input validation for ping requests. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense in depth by limiting local user access to critical system utilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper network protocol implementation and input validation, with recommendations to implement strict bounds checking for all network packet processing functions. Organizations should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual ping activity patterns and establish baseline system behavior to quickly identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for similar protocol handling flaws in other network utilities to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining undetected in the system infrastructure.