HP HP-UX 10/10.20/9 chfn Long Argument memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in HP HP-UX 10/10.20/9. Impacted is an unknown function of the component chfn. The manipulation as part of Long Argument results in memory corruption. This vulnerability was named CVE-1999-1089. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in HP HP-UX 10/10.20/9 (Operating System). Affected is an unknown code block of the component chfn. The manipulation as part of a Long Argument leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

buffer overflow in chfn command in hp-ux 9.x through 10.20 allows local users to gain privileges via a long command line argument.

The bug was discovered 12/09/1996. The weakness was presented 12/13/1996 as the HP Bug of the Week! as not defined posting (Bugtraq). The advisory is shared for download at marc.theaimsgroup.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-1999-1089. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 4 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 (2008), OSVDB (9598†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-20904†). Further details are available at ciac.llnl.gov. See VDB-13790 for similar entry. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.9

VulDB Base Score: 9.3
VulDB Temp Score: 8.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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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: 🔍
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Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

12/09/1996 🔍
12/09/1996 +0 days 🔍
12/13/1996 +4 days 🔍
12/13/1996 +0 days 🔍
02/17/2009 +4449 days 🔍
06/17/2014 +1946 days 🔍
04/16/2026 +4321 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: hp.com

Advisory: the HP Bug of the Week!
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-1089 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1089
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13788
X-Force: 2008
OSVDB: 9598 - CVE-1999-1089 - HP-UX - Buffer Overflow Issue
Vulnerability Center: 20904 - HP-UX 9.0 Through 10.20 Buffer Overflow in chfn Command Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability, High

Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/17/2014 18:01
Updated: 04/16/2026 11:43
Changes: 06/17/2014 18:01 (60), 08/27/2019 11:50 (3), 04/16/2026 11:43 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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