VDB-13683 · CVE-1999-1552 · BID 358

IBM AIX 3.1/3.2/3.2.4/3.2.5 dpsexec Local Privilege Escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in IBM AIX 3.1/3.2/3.2.4/3.2.5. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is an unknown function of the component dpsexec. Performing a manipulation results in Local Privilege Escalation. This vulnerability was named CVE-1999-1552. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in IBM AIX 3.1/3.2/3.2.4/3.2.5 (Operating System). This affects an unknown code block of the component dpsexec. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a local privilege escalation vulnerability. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

dpsexec (DPS Server) when running under XDM in IBM AIX 3.2.5 and earlier does not properly check privileges, which allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files and gain privileges.

The issue has been introduced in 02/01/1990. The weakness was presented 06/20/1994 by Sam Hartman as not defined posting (Bugtraq). It is possible to read the advisory at securityfocus.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-1552. The exploitability is told to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1600 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k.

Upgrading to version 4.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at SecurityFocus (BID 358†). See VDB-13680 for similar entry. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.0

VulDB Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Temp Score: 8.0
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: Local Privilege Escalation
CWE: Unknown
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: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: AIX 4.0

Timelineinfo

02/01/1990 🔍
06/20/1994 +1600 days 🔍
07/20/1994 +30 days 🔍
07/20/1994 +0 days 🔍
06/17/2014 +7272 days 🔍
04/16/2026 +4321 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: ibm.com

Advisory: securityfocus.com⛔
Researcher: Sam Hartman
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-1552 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1552
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13683
SecurityFocus: 358 - AIX dpsexec Vulnerability

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/17/2014 13:16
Updated: 04/16/2026 05:15
Changes: 06/17/2014 13:16 (49), 01/13/2018 23:01 (8), 04/03/2025 10:28 (18), 04/16/2026 05:15 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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