# CVE-1999-0299: FreeBSD lpd buffer overflow via long DNS hostnames

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-0299-freebsd-lpd-buffer-overflow-via-long-dns-hostnames  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1997-03-05. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-0299 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.3 · Published 1997-03-05

A vulnerability exists in the FreeBSD line printer daemon (lpd), a service responsible for managing print jobs. An attacker can exploit this flaw by providing a specially crafted, overly long hostname via DNS. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to take complete control of the affected system, potentially leading to data theft or service disruption.

Technologies: [Freebsd](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/freebsd). Vendors: [Freebsd](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/freebsd).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-0299 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-0299 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-0299?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.3, published 5 March 1997.

**Which products and versions are affected?** FreeBSD Project FreeBSD Versions prior to March 1997.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-0299?** 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-1999-0299 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-0299?** Check whether you run Freebsd. 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 FreeBSD line printer daemon (lpd) is vulnerable to a classic buffer overflow. The flaw is triggered when the daemon processes a print request from a host with an excessively long DNS hostname, which exceeds the allocated buffer size in the stack. Because lpd often runs with elevated privileges to manage hardware and spooling, a remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this to overwrite the instruction pointer and execute arbitrary code with root privileges. This vulnerability is reachable over the network if the lpd service is exposed. Users should apply patches provided by the FreeBSD Project or upgrade to a version released after March 1997.

## Affected products

- FreeBSD Project FreeBSD Versions prior to March 1997

## Timeline

- 1997-03-05: disclosed: Initial publication date

## References

- [http://www.osvdb.org/6093](http://www.osvdb.org/6093)

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