How severe is CVE-1999-0433?

CVE-1999-0433 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-1999-0433 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (49th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-1999-0433?

CVE-1999-0433 primarily affects Xfree86 Project X11r6. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-1999-0433?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-1999-0433 published?

CVE-1999-0433 was published on 1999-03-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-1999-0433

CVE-1999-0433 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Xfree86 Project X11r6 with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 4.6)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (49th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Xfree86 Project X11r6
Published: 1999-03-21
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

XFree86 startx command is vulnerable to a symlink attack, allowing local users to create files in restricted directories, possibly allowing them to gain privileges or cause a denial of service.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-1999-0433?: XFree86 startx command is vulnerable to a symlink attack, allowing local users to create files in restricted directories, possibly allowing them to gain privileges or cause a denial of service.
How severe is CVE-1999-0433?: CVE-1999-0433 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-1999-0433 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (49th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-1999-0433?: CVE-1999-0433 primarily affects Xfree86 Project X11r6. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-1999-0433?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-1999-0433 published?: CVE-1999-0433 was published on 1999-03-21 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0433

Affected products (14)

cpe:2.3:a:xfree86_project:x11r6:3.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netbsd:netbsd:1.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netbsd:netbsd:1.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:linux:5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:linux:5.2:*:i386:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:slackware:slackware_linux:3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:slackware:slackware_linux:3.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:slackware:slackware_linux:3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:slackware:slackware_linux:3.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:slackware:slackware_linux:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:suse:suse_linux:5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:suse:suse_linux:5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:suse:suse_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:suse:suse_linux:6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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