CWE
NVD-CWE-Other 119
Advisory Published
CVE Published
Updated

CVE-1999-1048: Buffer Overflow

First published: Sat Sep 05 1998(Updated: )

Buffer overflow in bash 2.0.0, 1.4.17, and other versions allows local attackers to gain privileges by creating an extremely large directory name, which is inserted into the password prompt via the \w option in the PS1 environmental variable when another user changes into that directory.

Credit: cve@mitre.org cve@mitre.org

Affected SoftwareAffected VersionHow to fix
Debian GNU/Linux=1.3.1
Red Hat Linux=4.2

Never miss a vulnerability like this again

Sign up to SecAlerts for real-time vulnerability data matched to your software, aggregated from hundreds of sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the severity of CVE-1999-1048?

    CVE-1999-1048 is considered a high severity vulnerability due to its potential to allow local attackers to gain elevated privileges.

  • How do I fix CVE-1999-1048?

    To fix CVE-1999-1048, update bash to a version that is not vulnerable to buffer overflow exploitation.

  • Which systems are affected by CVE-1999-1048?

    CVE-1999-1048 affects bash versions 2.0.0, 1.4.17, and other versions on systems such as Debian 1.3.1 and Red Hat Linux 4.2.

  • What is the cause of CVE-1999-1048?

    CVE-1999-1048 is caused by a buffer overflow that occurs when bash processes an oversized directory name through the PS1 environmental variable.

  • Can CVE-1999-1048 be exploited remotely?

    CVE-1999-1048 cannot be exploited remotely; it requires local access to the vulnerable system.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2025 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203