# CVE-1999-0026: SGI IRIX buffer overflow in pset command

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0026-sgi-irix-buffer-overflow-in-pset-command  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1997-07-16. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0026 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.6 · Published 1997-07-16

A security vulnerability exists in the 'pset' command within SGI IRIX operating systems. This command is used for managing processor sets on high-performance computing systems. A local user can exploit this flaw to gain full administrative (root) control over the system, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or system disruption.

Technologies: [Sgi Irix](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/irix). Vendors: [Sgi](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/sgi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0026 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0026 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0026?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.6, published 16 July 1997.

**Which products and versions are affected?** SGI IRIX.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0026?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-1999-0026 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0026?** Check whether you run Sgi Irix. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the 'pset' utility on SGI IRIX systems. The flaw is triggered when the command processes overly long input, leading to memory corruption. Because the 'pset' binary often runs with elevated privileges to manage system processor sets, a local attacker can exploit this overflow to execute arbitrary code and escalate their privileges to root. The attack requires local shell access but no special user permissions. SGI released patches for affected IRIX versions following the initial discovery in 1997.

## Affected products

- SGI IRIX

## Timeline

- 1997-07-16: disclosed: Initial publication date in NVD

## References

- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0026](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0026)

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