SGI IRIX up to 6.3 Library LD_LIBRARY_PATH Remote Code Execution

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
9.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in SGI IRIX up to 6.3. It has been declared as critical. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Library Handler. Such manipulation of the argument LD_LIBRARY_PATH as part of Environment Variable leads to Remote Code Execution. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-0073. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in SGI IRIX up to 6.3 (Operating System) and classified as very critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown processing of the component Library Handler. The manipulation of the argument LD_LIBRARY_PATH as part of a Environment Variable leads to a remote code execution vulnerability. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Telnet allows a remote client to specify environment variables including LD_LIBRARY_PATH, allowing an attacker to bypass the normal system libraries and gain root access.

The issue has been introduced in 03/01/1993. The weakness was disclosed 10/13/1995 by Sam Hartman. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-1999-0073. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD (estimation calculated on 02/24/2026).

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 956 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. Attack attempts may be identified with Snort ID 712. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 9756.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (67), SecurityFocus (BID 459†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-579†). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

  • Digital Osf 1 up to 3.2
  • Digital Unix up to 4.0
  • SGI IRIX up to 6.3

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Support

  • end of life (old version)

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.4

VulDB Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Temp Score: 9.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Remote Code Execution
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Snort ID: 712
Snort Message: PROTOCOL-TELNET ld_library_path
Snort Class: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

SourceFire IPS: 🔍
ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍
PaloAlto IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

03/01/1993 🔍
10/13/1995 +956 days 🔍
10/13/1995 +0 days 🔍
10/13/1995 +0 days 🔍
10/13/1995 +0 days 🔍
12/30/2002 +2635 days 🔍
06/17/2014 +4187 days 🔍
02/24/2026 +4270 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: sgi.com

Researcher: Sam Hartman
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0073 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0073
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13712
X-Force: 67
SecurityFocus: 459 - Multiple Vendor telnetd Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 579 - Multiple Vendor telnetd Allows Unauthorized Root Access, High

Entryinfo

Created: 06/17/2014 16:40
Updated: 02/24/2026 10:57
Changes: 06/17/2014 16:40 (68), 05/07/2019 15:26 (3), 04/03/2025 11:22 (18), 02/24/2026 10:57 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Might our Artificial Intelligence support you?

Check our Alexa App!