CVE-2000-0999

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

published November 29, 2000

CVSS
—
EPSS
12%
Percentile
96.1
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A sneaky format string vulnerability is hiding in OpenBSD's SSH program! This bug could give attackers root privileges if they play their cards right. 🦸‍♂️ Think of it like a restaurant where the chef accepts any special request without checking if the ingredients are actually available—one miscommunication, and suddenly you’ve served something dangerous! If exploited, an attacker could gain root access, allowing them to wreak havoc on the system. They could modify files, install malicious software, or even take complete control of the machine. This could lead to catastrophic data loss or system compromise!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where the chef accepts any special request without checking if the ingredients are actually available—one miscommunication, and suddenly you’ve served something dangerous! This format string vulnerability in OpenBSD's SSH program allows unauthorized attackers to exploit how the program handles strings, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with root privileges.

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could gain root access, allowing them to wreak havoc on the system. They could modify files, install malicious software, or even take complete control of the machine. This could lead to catastrophic data loss or system compromise! To defend against this vulnerability, ensure your OpenBSD SSH is updated to the latest version that includes the patch for this issue. Regularly audit your systems for security updates and review access controls to limit exposure to potential exploits. You've got this! With a little attention to updates and security practices, you can keep your systems safe and sound. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.11936 · 96.1th percentile
Published
2000-11-29T05:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 29 NOV 05:00Z
    Format string vulnerabilities in OpenBSD ssh program (and possibly other BSD-based operating systems) allow attackers to gain root privileges
    cvelistv5