Linux Kernel 1.2.0 suidperl privileges management

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 Linux Kernel 1.2.0. It has been classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component suidperl. The manipulation leads to privileges management. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-1999-0138. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 1.2.0 (Operating System) and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown code block of the component suidperl. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The suidperl and sperl program do not give up root privileges when changing UIDs back to the original users, allowing root access.

The issue has been introduced in 03/07/1995. The weakness was shared 06/26/1996. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-1999-0138. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 477 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (429) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-23429†). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • FreeBSD 2.0/2.0.5/2.1.0
  • HP HP-UX 8/9/10
  • IBM AIX 3.2.5/4

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

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: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
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: 🔍

Timelineinfo

03/07/1995 🔍
06/26/1996 +477 days 🔍
06/26/1996 +0 days 🔍
06/26/1996 +0 days 🔍
09/08/2009 +4822 days 🔍
06/17/2014 +1743 days 🔍
04/16/2026 +4321 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0138 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0138
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13739
X-Force: 429
Vulnerability Center: 23429 - Suidperl and Sperl Changing UIDs Root Privileges Escalation Vulnerability, High

Entryinfo

Created: 06/17/2014 17:07
Updated: 04/16/2026 08:14
Changes: 06/17/2014 17:07 (50), 02/14/2017 16:25 (6), 04/03/2025 12:52 (18), 04/16/2026 08:14 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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