# CVE-1999-0050: HP HP-UX buffer overflow in newgrp

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0050-hp-hp-ux-buffer-overflow-in-newgrp  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1996-12-01. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0050 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 1996-12-01

A security vulnerability exists in the HP-UX operating system's utility used for switching user group identities. A local attacker can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized administrative control over the system. This could lead to a complete compromise of the server, including the theft of sensitive data or the disruption of business operations.

Technologies: [Hp-Ux](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/hp-ux). Vendors: [Hp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/hp).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0050 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0050 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0050?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 1 December 1996.

**Which products and versions are affected?** HP HP-UX.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0050?** 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-1999-0050 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0050?** Check whether you run Hp-Ux. 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 within the 'newgrp' executable in HP-UX. The 'newgrp' utility is typically a setuid-root program used to change a user's current group ID during a login session. By providing specially crafted, overly long input to the program, a local attacker can trigger a memory corruption event. Because the utility runs with elevated privileges, successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with root-level permissions.

## Affected products

- HP HP-UX

## Timeline

- 1996-12-01: disclosed

## References

- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0050](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0050)

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