CVE-1999-0879: Buffer overflow in WU-FTPD and related FTP servers allows remote attackers to gain root privileges via macro v

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-1999-0879 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting bsd os, openlinux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in WU-FTPD and related FTP servers allows remote attackers to gain root privileges via macro variables in a message file.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	9.7% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	1999-10-01
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: bsdi · caldera

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

1999-10-01 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:49 UTCUpdated Record last modified

bsdi bsd os MITIGATE

Affected: 2.1 · 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1

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.

caldera openlinux MITIGATE

Affected: 1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Washington University WU-FTPD 2.5.0 - 'message' Remote Buffer Overflow

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.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-1999-0879?

bsd os: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; openlinux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-1999-0879 being exploited?

CVE-1999-0879 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-1999-0879 affect?

CVE-1999-0879 affects bsd os, openlinux. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Buffer overflow in WU-FTPD and related FTP servers allows remote attackers to gain root privileges via macro variables in a message file.

How urgent is CVE-1999-0879?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

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References

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