PatchTheCVECVE-1999-0798: Buffer overflow in bootpd on OpenBSD, FreeBSD, and Linux systems via a malformed header type.
59
This month
HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-1999-0798 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting bsd os, freebsd, openbsd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Buffer overflow in bootpd on OpenBSD, FreeBSD, and Linux systems via a malformed header type.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- On your watchlist
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 10.0 (High) |
| EPSS exploit chance | 1.6% (top 24%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Published | 1998-12-04 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-16 |
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
bsdi bsd os MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
freebsd freebsd MITIGATE
Affected: 6.2 stable
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.2
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
openbsd openbsd MITIGATE
Affected: 2.3 · 2.4
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.3
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat linux MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
sco internet faststart MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
sco openserver MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-1999-0798?
bsd os: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; freebsd: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; openbsd: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-1999-0798 being exploited?
CVE-1999-0798 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-1999-0798 affect?
CVE-1999-0798 affects bsd os, freebsd, openbsd. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Buffer overflow in bootpd on OpenBSD, FreeBSD, and Linux systems via a malformed header type.
How urgent is CVE-1999-0798?
Priority 59/100. Critical severity; On your watchlist
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