CVE-1999-0828

UnixWare - Arbitrary File Read via pkg Commands

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 3 public exploits for CVE-1999-0828. PoCs published by Brock Tellier.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in UnixWare 7.1's `pkgcat` to execute arbitrary code with `dacread` privileges, allowing unauthorized access to `/etc/shadow`. It generates shellcode to spawn a program that reads the shadow file.

Description

UnixWare pkg commands such as pkginfo, pkgcat, and pkgparam allow local users to read arbitrary files via the dacread permission.

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Brock Tellier · clocalsco
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/19660

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in UnixWare 7.1's `pkgcat` to execute arbitrary code with `dacread` privileges, allowing unauthorized access to `/etc/shadow`. It generates shellcode to spawn a program that reads the shadow file.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: UnixWare 7.1 /usr/sbin/pkgcat
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to execute `/usr/sbin/pkgcat` · Ability to compile and run the exploit binary
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Brock Tellier · textlocalsco
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/19658

The exploit demonstrates an information leakage vulnerability in SCO UnixWare 7.1's package utilities (e.g., pkgparam), which can read arbitrary files (e.g., /etc/shadow) due to improper Discretionary Access Controls (DAC) via /etc/security/tcb/privs.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: SCO UnixWare 7.1
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a system running SCO UnixWare 7.1
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
clocalsco
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/19661

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in UnixWare 7.1's `pkginstall` to execute arbitrary code with `dacread` privileges, allowing unauthorized access to `/etc/shadow`. The shellcode spawns a helper program that reads the shadow file.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: UnixWare 7.1 /usr/sbin/pkginstall
No auth needed
Prerequisites: UnixWare 7.1 system with vulnerable `pkginstall` binary · Ability to execute the exploit locally
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →

References (1)

Core 1
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/853

Scores

EPSS 0.0035
EPSS Percentile 58.2%

Details

Status published
Products (2)
sco/unixware 7.0
sco/unixware 7.1
Published Dec 02, 1999
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026