# CVE-1999-0216: Linux inetd denial of service via SYN and RST packets

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0216-linux-inetd-denial-of-service-via-syn-and-rst-packets  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1997-11-01. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0216 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5 · Published 1997-11-01

A vulnerability in the Linux internet services daemon (inetd) allows remote attackers to disrupt network services. By sending a specific sequence of network connection requests, an attacker can cause the system to stop responding to legitimate traffic. This results in a denial of service, preventing users from accessing hosted applications or services.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0216 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0216 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0216?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5, published 1 November 1997.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Linux Foundation Linux.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0216?** 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-1999-0216 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0216?** Check whether you run Hp-Ux or Linux Kernel. 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 Linux inetd daemon is vulnerable to a denial of service attack involving the manipulation of TCP SYN and RST packets. An attacker can exploit this by flooding the service with connection requests that are immediately reset or left in a specific state, exhausting the daemon's ability to handle new connections. This is a network-based attack that requires no authentication and no user interaction. Successful exploitation results in the unavailability of all services managed by inetd. Modern Linux distributions have largely replaced inetd with xinetd or systemd, which are not affected by this specific legacy issue.

## Affected products

- Linux Foundation Linux

## Timeline

- 1997-11-01: disclosed

## References

- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0216](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0216)

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