SGI IRIX 6.3 ipxchk/ipxlink Environment Variable privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in SGI IRIX 6.3. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file ipxchk/ipxlink. This manipulation as part of Environment Variable causes privileges management. This vulnerability appears as CVE-1999-1501. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in SGI IRIX 6.3 (Operating System). Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file ipxchk/ipxlink. The manipulation as part of a Environment Variable leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

(1) ipxchk and (2) ipxlink in SGI OS2 IRIX 6.3 does not properly clear the IFS environmental variable before executing system calls, which allows local users to execute arbitrary commands.

The issue has been introduced in 09/01/1996. The weakness was presented 04/08/1998 by Fabrice Planchon as not defined posting (Bugtraq). The advisory is shared at marc.theaimsgroup.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-1501. The exploitation appears to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 584 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at SecurityFocus (BID 71†). See VDB-14111 for similar entry. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Support

  • end of life (old version)

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.7

VulDB Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Temp Score: 5.7
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

09/01/1996 🔍
04/08/1998 +584 days 🔍
04/08/1998 +0 days 🔍
04/08/1998 +0 days 🔍
06/19/2014 +5916 days 🔍
04/17/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: sgi.com

Advisory: marc.theaimsgroup.com
Researcher: Fabrice Planchon
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-1501 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1501
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14113
SecurityFocus: 71 - IRIX ipxlink Vulnerability

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/19/2014 14:51
Updated: 04/17/2026 11:44
Changes: 06/19/2014 14:51 (55), 04/11/2019 11:17 (3), 04/17/2026 11:44 (19)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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