BSD 4.2/4.3 passwd Shell passwd.c memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in BSD 4.2/4.3. It has been classified as critical. The affected element is an unknown function of the file passwd.c of the component passwd Shell Handler. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-1999-1471. The attack must be carried out locally. There is no available exploit. Applying a patch is the recommended action to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in BSD 4.2/4.3 and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown code block of the file passwd.c of the component passwd Shell Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

buffer overflow in passwd in bsd based operating systems 4.3 and earlier allows local users to gain root privileges by specifying a long shell or gecos field.

The weakness was presented 12/21/1988 by Keith Bostic as CA-1989-01 as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is shared at cert.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-1999-1471. An attack has to be approached locally. The requirement for exploitation is a simple authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at cert.org. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (7152), SecurityFocus (BID 4†) and OSVDB (5849†). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

  • BSD
  • Windriver BSDOS

Productinfo

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.4

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: cert.org

Timelineinfo

12/21/1988 🔍
12/21/1988 +0 days 🔍
12/21/1988 +0 days 🔍
01/01/1989 +11 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +5576 days 🔍
06/16/2014 +3720 days 🔍
04/03/2025 +3944 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: CA-1989-01
Researcher: Keith Bostic
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-1471 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1471
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13613
X-Force: 7152
SecurityFocus: 4 - BSD passwd buffer overflow Vulnerability
OSVDB: 5849 - BSD passwd Multiple Field Local Overflow

Entryinfo

Created: 06/16/2014 15:19
Updated: 04/03/2025 03:37
Changes: 06/16/2014 15:19 (61), 05/07/2019 10:48 (2), 04/03/2025 03:37 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:F74:103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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