CVE-2000-0998

top <unknown> - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2000-0998. PoCs published by Kevin Finisterre, truefinder.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a format string vulnerability in the 'top' utility on BSD systems, allowing arbitrary code execution to escalate privileges to the 'kmem' group. It uses a crafted format string to overwrite memory addresses and execute shellcode.

Description

Format string vulnerability in top program allows local attackers to gain root privileges via the "kill" or "renice" function.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Kevin Finisterre · perllocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20378

This exploit targets a format string vulnerability in the 'top' utility on BSD systems, allowing arbitrary code execution to escalate privileges to the 'kmem' group. It uses a crafted format string to overwrite memory addresses and execute shellcode.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: top (versions prior to FreeBSD 4.2)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable BSD system with 'top' installed setgid kmem · Ability to execute the exploit locally
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by truefinder · clocalfreebsd
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/20377

This exploit targets a format string vulnerability in the 'top' utility on BSD systems (prior to FreeBSD 4.2) to achieve arbitrary code execution. It leverages environment variables and crafted input to overwrite memory addresses, leading to privilege escalation via the kmem group.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: top (versions prior to 3.5beta9 on BSD systems)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable BSD system with 'top' installed setgid kmem · Ability to run 'objdump' to extract .dtors address
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Patch, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/1895
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_freebsd
ftp://ftp.FreeBSD.org/pub/FreeBSD/CERT/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-00:62.top.v1.1.asc

Scores

EPSS 0.0088
EPSS Percentile 54.3%

Details

Status published
Products (5)
freebsd/freebsd 3.5 (2 CPE variants)
freebsd/freebsd 3.5.1 (3 CPE variants)
freebsd/freebsd 4.0 (2 CPE variants)
freebsd/freebsd 4.1
freebsd/freebsd 4.1.1
Published Dec 11, 2000
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026