CVE-1999-1232: High severity SGI IRIX vulnerability

Published May 16, 1997
·
Updated

Untrusted search path vulnerability in day5datacopier in SGI IRIX 6.2 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via a modified PATH environment variable that points to a malicious cp program.

Affected Software

1 affected component
SGI IRIX=6.2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Remove

    Remove day5datacopier (SGI IRIX 6.2) from your environment.

    Uninstall or remove the day5datacopier program if it is not required.

  2. Configuration

    Modify day5datacopier so it invokes the cp utility using an absolute path (for example /bin/cp) and/or sanitize/reset the PATH environment variable to a safe value that excludes user-writable directories before executing external commands.

    day5datacopier (SGI IRIX 6.2) external command invocation / PATH handling = use absolute path for cp and sanitize PATH
  3. Compensating control

    Restrict which local accounts can execute day5datacopier by adjusting file permissions or ACLs so only trusted users can run it. If immediate code changes are not possible, prevent untrusted local users from running the binary.

  4. Operational

    Investigate for signs of exploitation: check PATH directories and system locations for malicious 'cp' binaries or other unauthorized files, remove any discovered malicious binaries, and perform appropriate incident response (including further system integrity checks). If compromise is suspected, take additional remediation such as credential rotation.

Event History

May 16, 1997
CVE Published
04:00 AM
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Sep 12, 2001
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:00 AM
Description

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-1999-1232?

CVE-1999-1232 has a medium severity level, as it allows local users to execute arbitrary commands.

2

How do I fix CVE-1999-1232?

To fix CVE-1999-1232, ensure that the PATH environment variable does not include untrusted directories.

3

Who is affected by CVE-1999-1232?

Local users of SGI IRIX version 6.2 are affected by CVE-1999-1232.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-1999-1232?

CVE-1999-1232 is an untrusted search path vulnerability.

5

Can CVE-1999-1232 be exploited remotely?

CVE-1999-1232 cannot be exploited remotely as 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.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203