CVE-1999-0212 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Solaris rpc.mountd generates error messages that allow a remote attacker to determine what files are on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0212 affects the Solaris rpc.mountd service, which is part of the Network File System (NFS) implementation in Oracle Solaris operating systems. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where the rpc.mountd daemon provides overly verbose error messages that inadvertently reveal file system structure information to remote attackers. The issue stems from the service's improper handling of mount requests and error responses, creating a pathway for malicious actors to enumerate files and directories on the affected system through carefully crafted network requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the rpc.mountd daemon's response handling mechanism. When the service encounters invalid mount requests or fails to process legitimate requests properly, it returns detailed error messages containing file system path information. These responses contain directory listings, file names, and potentially sensitive path structures that should remain hidden from remote users. The flaw exists because the daemon does not sanitize its error output before sending responses back to clients, allowing attackers to systematically probe the file system structure through repeated requests. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and information hiding, as the service exposes internal system state information that should only be accessible to authorized local users.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-0212 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. Remote attackers can use the leaked file system information to identify sensitive files, determine system configuration, and map network resources that might be vulnerable to exploitation. This reconnaissance capability significantly reduces the attack surface and can lead to more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where NFS services are commonly used for file sharing, as it can expose corporate data structures and potentially sensitive system files that are not properly secured. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to the reconnaissance phase of the kill chain and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Gather Victim Host Information).
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. The most direct fix involves patching the Solaris system with the appropriate security update from Oracle, which would modify the rpc.mountd service to sanitize error messages and prevent file system path information from being exposed. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to NFS services, particularly by limiting rpc.mountd access to trusted networks only. Additional mitigations include configuring firewalls to block unnecessary NFS ports, implementing proper access controls through NFS exports, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious mount request patterns. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and implement defense-in-depth strategies that include network monitoring, intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other system components.