# CVE-1999-1096: Buffer overflow in kscreensaver in KDE klock allows local users to gain root privileges via a long HOME environmental variable.

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1096-buffer-overflow-in-kscreensaver-in-kde-klock-allows-local-users-to  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1998-05-16. Updated: 2026-05-11  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-1096 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 1998-05-16

Buffer overflow in kscreensaver in KDE klock allows local users to gain root privileges via a long HOME environmental variable.

Technologies: [Kde](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/kde). Vendors: [Kde](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/kde).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-1096 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-1096 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-1096?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 16 May 1998.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Kde. The advisory does not name versions.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-1096?** 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.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-1096?** Check whether you run Kde. 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.

## Affected products

- Kde

## References

- [http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=90221101925954&w=2](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=90221101925954&w=2)
- [http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=90221101925959&w=2](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=90221101925959&w=2)
- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/1644](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/1644)

## Related threats

- [KDE kppp buffer overflow in account_name argument](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1106-kde-kppp-buffer-overflow-in-account-name-argument)
- [KDE kfm arbitrary file modification via insecure TCP server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1267-kde-kfm-arbitrary-file-modification-via-insecure-tcp-server)