Linux Kernel 2.0/2.1 ICMP Smurf denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel 2.0/2.1. This affects an unknown function of the component ICMP Handler. Performing a manipulation results in denial of service (Smurf). This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-0513. Furthermore, an exploit is available. Due to its background and reception, this vulnerability has an historic impact. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 2.0/2.1 (Operating System). It has been classified as critical. This affects some unknown processing of the component ICMP Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a denial of service vulnerability (Smurf). CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

ICMP messages to broadcast addresses are allowed, allowing for a Smurf attack that can cause a denial of service.

The bug was discovered 10/01/1997. The weakness was published 01/05/1998 with CERT. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-1999-0513. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 04/17/2026). Due to its background and reception, this vulnerability has a historic impact.

A public exploit has been developed in ANSI C. The exploit is shared for download at securityfocus.com. It is declared as highly functional. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 96 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 82031 (Smurf Attack (ICMP Amplifier)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.It is possible to mitigate the weakness by firewalling ICMP. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (588), Exploit-DB (19117), SecurityFocus (BID 147†), OSVDB (916†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-6768†). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Digital Unix up to 4.0d
  • FreeBSD up to 2.2.4
  • HP HP-UX 10.20/11.00
  • IBM AIX up to 3.2.5
  • Linux Kernel 2.0/2.1
  • NetBSD 1.2
  • Sun Solaris up to 2.6

Productinfo

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Vendor

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.2

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Name: Smurf
Class: Denial of service / Smurf
CWE: CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Highly functional
Programming Language: 🔍
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Firewalling: 🔍
ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

10/01/1997 🔍
01/05/1998 +96 days 🔍
01/05/1998 +0 days 🔍
01/05/1998 +0 days 🔍
01/05/1998 +0 days 🔍
01/05/2005 +2557 days 🔍
06/18/2014 +3451 days 🔍
04/17/2026 +4321 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Organization: CERT
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0513 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0513
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14055
X-Force: 588
SecurityFocus: 147 - Multiple Vendor Smurf Denial of Service Vulnerability
OSVDB: 916 - Denial of Service from Smurf Attack
Vulnerability Center: 6768 - DoS in Multiple Vendor via Smurf Attack, High

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 06/18/2014 18:17
Updated: 04/17/2026 05:29
Changes: 06/18/2014 18:17 (64), 05/29/2019 09:55 (7), 06/19/2024 12:50 (17), 10/26/2025 00:26 (7), 04/17/2026 05:29 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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