---
id: CVE-1999-0073
title: >-
  Telnet allows a remote client to specify environment variables including
  LD_LIBRARY_PATH, allowing an attacker to bypass the normal system libraries
  and gain root access.
summary: >-
  Telnet allows a remote client to specify environment variables including
  LD_LIBRARY_PATH, allowing an attacker to bypass the normal system libraries
  and gain root access.
severity: critical
cvss: 10
cvssVector: 'AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C'
published: '1995-10-13'
updated: '2026-06-16'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-1999-0073'
references:
  - url: 'https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0073'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/02/24/3'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/07/3'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/03/08/6'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/CVE-1999-0073'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.03088
epssPercentile: 0.87179
ingestedAt: '2026-06-19T03:39:00.761Z'
---

## Overview

Telnet allows a remote client to specify environment variables including LD_LIBRARY_PATH, allowing an attacker to bypass the normal system libraries and gain root access.

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.