# CVE-1999-0036: SGI IRIX arbitrary file creation in login program

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0036-sgi-irix-arbitrary-file-creation-in-login-program  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1997-05-26. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0036 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.4 · Published 1997-05-26

A vulnerability in the login system of SGI IRIX operating systems allows local users to bypass security controls. By exploiting a specific configuration in the login program, an attacker can create or modify sensitive system files. This could lead to a total loss of system integrity, unauthorized data access, or a complete system takeover.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0036 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0036 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0036?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.4, published 26 May 1997.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Sgi Irix All versions prior to May 1997 patches.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0036?** 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-1999-0036 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0036?** Check whether you run Sgi Irix at an affected version. 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

The vulnerability exists in the IRIX 'login' utility when the LOCKOUT parameter is set to a non-zero value. This parameter is intended to manage account lockouts after failed attempts, but a flaw in its implementation allows for arbitrary file creation or modification. An attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to overwrite critical system files or create new ones with elevated privileges. This is categorized as an unrestricted file upload/creation issue (CWE-434) within the context of the login process. Patches were released by SGI in May 1997 to address this behavior.

## Affected products

- SGI IRIX All versions prior to May 1997 patches

## Timeline

- 1997-05-08: advisory: SGI released security advisory 19970508-02-PX
- 1997-05-26: disclosed: Vulnerability published in NVD

## References

- [http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/h-106.shtml](http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/h-106.shtml)
- [http://www.osvdb.org/990](http://www.osvdb.org/990)
- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/557](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/557)

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