How severe is CVE-1999-0040?

CVE-1999-0040 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-1999-0040 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-1999-0040?

CVE-1999-0040 primarily affects Sgi Irix. In total, 43 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-1999-0040?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-1999-0040 published?

CVE-1999-0040 was published on 1997-05-01 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-1999-0040

CVE-1999-0040 is a high-severity vulnerability in Sgi Irix with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Sgi Irix
Published: 1997-05-01
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Buffer overflow in Xt library of X Windowing System allows local users to execute commands with root privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-1999-0040?: Buffer overflow in Xt library of X Windowing System allows local users to execute commands with root privileges.
How severe is CVE-1999-0040?: CVE-1999-0040 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-1999-0040 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-1999-0040?: CVE-1999-0040 primarily affects Sgi Irix. In total, 43 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-1999-0040?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-1999-0040 published?: CVE-1999-0040 was published on 1997-05-01 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0040

Affected products (43)

cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sgi:irix:6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:bsdi:bsd_os:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:bsdi:bsd_os:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:bsdi:bsd_os:2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:1.1.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:freebsd:freebsd:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:9.00:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:9.01:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:9.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.00:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.01:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.08:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.09:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.24:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:hp:hp-ux:10.34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:ibm:aix:3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:ibm:aix:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:ibm:aix:4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:asl_ux_4800:64:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:ews-ux_v:4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:ews-ux_v:4.2mp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:up-ux_v:4.2mp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sun:solaris:2.4:*:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sun:solaris:2.5:*:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sun:solaris:2.5.1:*:x86:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sun:sunos:4.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sun:sunos:4.1.3u1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sun:sunos:4.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:sun:sunos:5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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