VDB-14803 · CVE-1999-0872 · BID 611

Vixie Cron 3.0 Pl1 Crontab File MAILTO 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 was found in Vixie Cron 3.0 Pl1. It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown function of the component Crontab File Handler. This manipulation of the argument MAILTO as part of Environment Variable causes memory corruption. This vulnerability appears as CVE-1999-0872. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Vixie Cron 3.0 Pl1. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown code block of the component Crontab File Handler. The manipulation of the argument MAILTO as part of a Environment Variable leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Buffer overflow in Vixie cron allows local users to gain root access via a long MAILTO environment variable in a crontab file.

The weakness was presented 08/25/1999 with Redhat (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at securityfocus.com. The CVE assignment for this issue on SecurityFocus appears to be wrong. BID 759 lists CVE-1999-0872 which is wrong. It belongs to BID 611. This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-0872. The exploitation appears to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at SecurityFocus (BID 611†). See VDB-14802 and VDB-14927 for similar entries. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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: 8.9

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

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
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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: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/25/1999 🔍
08/25/1999 +0 days 🔍
08/25/1999 +0 days 🔍
06/21/2014 +5414 days 🔍
04/19/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: securityfocus.com⛔
Organization: Redhat
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0872 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0872
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-14803
SecurityFocus: 611 - Vixie Cron MAILTO Sendmail Vulnerability

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/21/2014 21:36
Updated: 04/19/2026 11:23
Changes: 06/21/2014 21:36 (50), 05/21/2018 10:10 (6), 04/19/2026 11:23 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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