# CVE-1999-0039: SGI IRIX command injection in webdist.cgi

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0039-sgi-irix-command-injection-in-webdist-cgi  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1997-05-06. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0039 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.3 · Published 1997-05-06

A vulnerability in the webdist CGI program on SGI IRIX systems allows remote attackers to take control of the server. By sending specially crafted web requests, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This could lead to a total compromise of the server, unauthorized access to data, or disruption of services.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0039 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0039 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0039?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.3, published 6 May 1997.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0039?** 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-1999-0039 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0039?** 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

This vulnerability is a command injection flaw (CWE-77) within the webdist.cgi program, a component of the SGI IRIX operating system. The root cause is the improper neutralization of shell metacharacters provided in the 'distloc' parameter. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by sending a crafted HTTP request containing shell commands to the vulnerable CGI script. Successful exploitation allows for arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the web server user. Patches were released by SGI in May 1997 to address this issue.

## Affected products

- SGI IRIX All versions prior to May 1997 patches

## Timeline

- 1997-05-01: advisory: SGI released security advisory 19970501-02-PX
- 1997-05-06: disclosed: NVD publication date

## References

- [http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-1997-12.html](http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-1997-12.html)
- [http://www.osvdb.org/235](http://www.osvdb.org/235)
- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/374](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/374)
- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/333](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/333)

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