# CVE-1999-1210: Digital UNIX xterm arbitrary file overwrite via core dump symlink

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1210-digital-unix-xterm-arbitrary-file-overwrite-via-core-dump-symlink  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 1997-11-12. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-1999-1210 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.2 · Published 1997-11-12

A vulnerability in the xterm terminal emulator on Digital UNIX 4.0B allows local users to overwrite critical system files. By manipulating environment variables to force the application to crash, a user can redirect the resulting error data (core dump) to overwrite sensitive files like the password database. This can lead to a complete system failure or allow an attacker to gain administrative control.

Technologies: [Digital Equipment Corporation Digital Unix](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/digital-unix). Vendors: [Digital Equipment Corporation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/digital-equipment-corporation).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-1999-1210 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-1999-1210 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-1999-1210?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.2, published 12 November 1997.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Digital UNIX 4.0B with patch kit 5.

**Is there a fix for CVE-1999-1210?** 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-1999-1210 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-1999-1210?** Check whether you run Digital Equipment Corporation Digital Unix. 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 xterm executable in Digital UNIX 4.0B (specifically after applying patch kit 5) is installed with setuid root privileges and is vulnerable to a symlink-based file overwrite. When the DISPLAY environment variable is set to an unreachable or invalid address, xterm triggers a segmentation fault during the XtOpenApplication() call. Because the process is running with elevated privileges, it may write a core dump file to the current directory. An attacker can create a symbolic link named 'core' in the working directory pointing to a sensitive system file (e.g., /etc/passwd or /vmunix), causing xterm to overwrite that file with core dump data upon crashing.

## Affected products

- Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Digital UNIX 4.0B with patch kit 5

## Timeline

- 1997-11-12: disclosed: Public disclosure on Bugtraq mailing list
- 1997-11-12: advisory: NVD publication date

## References

- [http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=87936891504885&w=2](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=87936891504885&w=2)
- [https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/613](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/613)

## Related threats

- [Digital Unix dxchpwd arbitrary file modification via symlink attack](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-1999-1221-digital-unix-dxchpwd-arbitrary-file-modification-via-symlink)