# CVE-1999-0126: SGI IRIX buffer overflow in xterm and Xaw

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0126-sgi-irix-buffer-overflow-in-xterm-and-xaw  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1998-05-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0126 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 1998-05-03

A security vulnerability exists in the SGI IRIX operating system's terminal emulator and graphical widget library. This flaw could allow a local user to gain full administrative control (root access) over the system. Such an exploit would allow an attacker to access any data on the machine, modify system settings, or disrupt operations.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0126 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0126 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0126?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 3 May 1998.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Sgi Irix All versions prior to May 1998 patch.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0126?** 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-1999-0126 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0126?** Check whether you run Sgi Irix or Xfree86 Project Xfree86 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

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the xterm executable and the Athena Widget Set (Xaw) library on SGI IRIX systems. The flaw is triggered by improper bounds checking when handling input, which can be leveraged by a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Because xterm is typically installed with setuid root permissions to manage terminal settings, successful exploitation results in a full privilege escalation to root. The vulnerability is accessible to any user with local shell access to the system. Patches were historically released by SGI to address this issue in the late 1990s.

## Affected products

- SGI IRIX All versions prior to May 1998 patch

## Timeline

- 1998-05-03: disclosed: Initial publication date

## References

- [http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/j-010.shtml](http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/j-010.shtml)

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