Vulnerability · CVE-1999-0138
The suidperl and sperl program do not give up root privileges when changing UIDs back to the original users, allowing root access.
Published Jun 26, 1996 · corrected/updated Jun 16, 2026 · Apple a ux · evidence confidence high
The suidperl and sperl program do not give up root privileges when changing UIDs back to the original users, allowing root access.
Grounded briefings
Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.
Executive
CVE-1999-0138 is a high public vulnerability record for Apple a ux. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.
System administrator
Identify whether Apple a ux is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: apple/a ux (3.1.1); digital/osf 1 (1.3); freebsd/freebsd (2.0); freebsd/freebsd (2.0.5). Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.
Security analyst
Signals on file: CVSS 7.2. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Sources contributing to this record: apple, cve_org. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.
Exploitation and remediation
Exploitation evidence
Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in CISA KEV or VulnCheck KEV.
Patch and remediation
No required-action text is stored yet. Use the vendor or CERT links in Sources for patch availability.
Safe detection guidance
Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
No public source repository is identified for this product.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Jun 26, 1996 · Apple Security Releases
Detected
The suidperl and sperl program do not give up root privileges when changing UIDs back to the original users, allowing root access.
Jun 16, 2026 · Apple Security Releases
Updated
The suidperl and sperl program do not give up root privileges when changing UIDs back to the original users, allowing root access.
Affected
- cpe apple/a ux3.1.1
- cpe digital/osf 11.3
- cpe freebsd/freebsd2.0
- cpe freebsd/freebsd2.0.5
- cpe freebsd/freebsd2.1.0
- cpe hp/hp-ux8
Sources
- Apple Security ReleasesVendor advisoryCVE-1999-0138
The suidperl and sperl program do not give up root privileges when changing UIDs back to the original users, allowing root access.
nvd.nist.gov - CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-1999-0138
Official CVE identifier
cve.org