---
id: CVE-1999-1471
title: >-
  Buffer overflow in passwd in BSD based operating systems 4.3 and earlier
  allows local users to gain root privileges by specifying a long shell or GECOS
  field.
summary: >-
  Buffer overflow in passwd in BSD based operating systems 4.3 and earlier
  allows local users to gain root privileges by specifying a long shell or GECOS
  field.
severity: high
cvss: 7.2
cvssVector: 'AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C'
published: '1989-01-01'
updated: '2026-06-16'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-1999-1471'
references:
  - url: 'http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-1989-01.html'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/7152.php'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-1989-01.html'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/7152.php'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00503
epssPercentile: 0.42085
ingestedAt: '2026-06-19T03:39:00.662Z'
---

## Overview

Buffer overflow in passwd in BSD based operating systems 4.3 and earlier allows local users to gain root privileges by specifying a long shell or GECOS field.

## Remediation

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