OpenBSD OpenSSH 4.5 format string

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in OpenBSD OpenSSH 4.5 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing. The manipulation results in format string. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2000-0999. No exploit is available. This vulnerability is historically impactful due to its background and the reception it garnered. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in OpenBSD OpenSSH 4.5 (Connectivity Software). Affected is an unknown code. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a format string vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-134. The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Format string vulnerabilities in OpenBSD ssh program (and possibly other BSD-based operating systems) allow attackers to gain root privileges.

The weakness was published 12/11/2000 as confirmed patch (Website). The advisory is shared for download at ftp.openbsd.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2000-0999. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD (estimation calculated on 10/12/2025). This vulnerability has a historic impact due to its background and reception.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 17839 (OpenSSH < 2.1.1p3 Format String Privilege Escalation), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Misc. and running in the context r. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 42412 (OpenSSH Format String Privilege Escalation Vulnerability).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at ftp.openbsd.org. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (5637), Tenable (17839) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-5947†). Similar entries are available at VDB-16206 and VDB-16207. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.4

VulDB Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Temp Score: 9.4
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: Format string
CWE: CWE-134 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 17839
Nessus Name: OpenSSH < 2.1.1p3 Format String Privilege Escalation
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: ftp.openbsd.org

Timelineinfo

07/11/2000 🔍
12/11/2000 +153 days 🔍
12/11/2000 +0 days 🔍
12/11/2000 +0 days 🔍
11/23/2004 +1443 days 🔍
01/18/2012 +2612 days 🔍
06/30/2014 +894 days 🔍
10/12/2025 +4121 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: openbsd.org

Advisory: ftp.openbsd.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2000-0999 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2000-0999
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-16020
X-Force: 5637
Vulnerability Center: 5947 - OpenBSD SSH Format String Attack Enable Root Privileges, Medium

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/30/2014 16:21
Updated: 10/12/2025 00:30
Changes: 06/30/2014 16:21 (64), 05/26/2019 09:24 (1), 10/12/2025 00:30 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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