# CVE-1999-1106: KDE kppp buffer overflow in account_name argument

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1106-kde-kppp-buffer-overflow-in-account-name-argument  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1998-04-29. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-1106 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 1998-04-29

A security vulnerability exists in kppp, a dialer application used in the KDE desktop environment to manage internet connections. A local user on the system can exploit this flaw to gain full administrative (root) control over the computer. This could allow an unauthorized person to access sensitive files, modify system settings, or disrupt operations.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-1106 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-1106 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-1106?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 29 April 1998.

**Which products and versions are affected?** KDE KDE kppp.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-1106?** 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-1999-1106 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-1106?** Check whether you run Kde or Kde Kppp. 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 stack-based buffer overflow exists in the kppp utility within the KDE desktop environment. The vulnerability is triggered when the application processes an excessively long string passed via the '-c' (account_name) command-line argument. Because kppp was often installed with setuid root permissions to manage network interfaces, a local attacker can exploit this overflow to overwrite the instruction pointer and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This results in a complete compromise of the local system. The issue was originally identified in 1998 and affects early versions of the KDE suite.

## Affected products

- KDE KDE kppp

## Timeline

- 1998-04-29: disclosed: Initial public disclosure and NVD publication

## References

- [http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/9121](http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/9121)
- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92)
- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/1643](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/1643)

## Related threats

- [Buffer overflow in kscreensaver in KDE klock allows local users to gain root privileges via a long HOME environmental variable.](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1096-buffer-overflow-in-kscreensaver-in-kde-klock-allows-local-users-to)
- [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)