Alec Muffet CrackLib 2.5 GECOS memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Alec Muffet CrackLib 2.5. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality. Performing a manipulation of the argument GECOS results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-1999-1140. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Alec Muffet CrackLib 2.5. It has been classified as critical. This affects some unknown functionality. The manipulation of the argument GECOS with an unknown input 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. The summary by CVE is:

buffer overflow in cracklib 2.5 may allow local users to gain root privileges via a long gecos field.

The weakness was disclosed 12/14/1997 as not defined posting (Bugtraq). The advisory is shared at marc.theaimsgroup.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-1140. The exploitability is told to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at X-Force (1539). Further details are available at cert.org. If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

Vendor

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

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

VulDB Base Score: 9.3
VulDB Temp Score: 9.3
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: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

12/14/1997 🔍
12/14/1997 +0 days 🔍
06/18/2014 +6030 days 🔍
04/17/2026 +4321 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: marc.theaimsgroup.com
Status: Not defined

CVE: CVE-1999-1140 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1140
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14037
X-Force: 1539 - CrackLib library buffer overflow

Misc.: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/18/2014 17:41
Updated: 04/17/2026 04:20
Changes: 06/18/2014 17:41 (44), 05/19/2018 09:52 (6), 04/17/2026 04:20 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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