CVE-1999-0506 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A Windows NT domain user or administrator account has a default, null, blank, or missing password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2021
This vulnerability represents a fundamental security flaw in Microsoft Windows NT operating systems where domain user accounts or administrator accounts may be configured with default, null, blank, or missing passwords. The issue stems from the default installation configuration where certain accounts are left with weak or no authentication credentials, creating an easily exploitable entry point for unauthorized access. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects critical system accounts that typically possess elevated privileges and administrative rights within the domain environment.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the Windows NT authentication mechanism failing to properly enforce password policies during account creation or system initialization. When accounts are created with null passwords, they bypass standard authentication procedures entirely, allowing any user to authenticate without providing credentials. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework under CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, where accounts are configured with passwords that are easily guessable or completely absent. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and can be exploited through various attack vectors including network reconnaissance, credential harvesting, and direct authentication attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with potential full administrative control over domain-joined systems. Once an attacker successfully authenticates using a null password account, they can execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, access sensitive data repositories, and potentially escalate privileges to gain control over entire domain environments. This vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 Valid Accounts, where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to establish and maintain access to target systems. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where domain administrators often have broad permissions across multiple systems and network resources.
Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability through several remediation strategies that align with established security frameworks and best practices. Immediate remediation involves implementing strong password policies that enforce complex password requirements for all accounts, including domain administrator accounts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits to identify and disable accounts with null or default passwords, ensuring that all accounts are properly configured with unique, strong passwords. The implementation of Microsoft Security Baselines and compliance with NIST Special Publication 800-123 guidelines provides structured approaches to account management and password policies. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining accounts with weak authentication configurations, while privileged account management procedures should be established to continuously monitor and secure administrative accounts across the enterprise infrastructure.