CVE-1999-0720

Linux Kernel - Unauthenticated TTY Terminal Device Modification via pt_chown

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-1999-0720. PoCs published by Michal Zalewski.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a vulnerability in pt_chown (glibc 2.1.x) to write arbitrary data to tty streams by leveraging a lack of security checks. It forks a process to execute pt_chown and uses ioctl to inject commands into the terminal.

Description

The pt_chown command in Linux allows local users to modify TTY terminal devices that belong to other users.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Michal Zalewski · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/19467

This exploit targets a vulnerability in pt_chown (glibc 2.1.x) to write arbitrary data to tty streams by leveraging a lack of security checks. It forks a process to execute pt_chown and uses ioctl to inject commands into the terminal.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: pt_chown (glibc 2.1.x, RedHat Linux 6.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Writable /dev/ttyXX allocated by software like screen
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (2)

Core 2
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/597

Scores

EPSS 0.0072
EPSS Percentile 49.1%

Details

Status published
Products (1)
linux/linux_kernel 2.6.20.1
Published Aug 23, 1999
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026