FreeBSD 2.1.6 libc setlocale PATH_LOCALE memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
8.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in FreeBSD 2.1.6. It has been rated as problematic. This impacts the function setlocale in the library libc. This manipulation of the argument PATH_LOCALE as part of Environment Variable causes memory corruption. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-1999-0964. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in FreeBSD 2.1.6 (Operating System). Affected by this vulnerability is the function setlocale in the library libc. The manipulation of the argument PATH_LOCALE 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 FreeBSD setlocale in the libc module allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long PATH_LOCALE environment variable.

The weakness was released 02/05/1997 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at osvdb.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-0964. 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 databases at X-Force (3829), OSVDB (6086†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-23368†). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

Website

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
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

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: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/05/1997 🔍
02/05/1997 +0 days 🔍
01/01/2000 +1060 days 🔍
04/09/2004 +1559 days 🔍
09/02/2009 +1972 days 🔍
06/23/2014 +1755 days 🔍
04/20/2026 +4319 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: freebsd.org

Advisory: osvdb.org⛔
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0964 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0964
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-15211
X-Force: 3829
OSVDB: 6086 - FreeBSD libc setlocale() PATH_LOCALE Variable Overflow
Vulnerability Center: 23368 - FreeBSD 2.1.6 Setlocale Libc Module Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability, High

Entryinfo

Created: 06/23/2014 13:20
Updated: 04/20/2026 10:10
Changes: 06/23/2014 13:20 (54), 02/13/2017 12:33 (6), 04/20/2026 10:10 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Want to stay up to date on a daily basis?

Enable the mail alert feature now!