CVE-1999-0916 in Log Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
WebTrends software stores account names and passwords in a file which does not have restricted access permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0916 represents a critical security flaw in the WebTrends software ecosystem that fundamentally compromises user authentication integrity. This issue stems from the improper handling of sensitive credential storage mechanisms within the application's file system architecture. The vulnerability specifically affects the WebTrends software suite, which was widely used for web analytics and reporting purposes during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The flaw manifests when the software creates account credential files without implementing proper access control measures, leaving authentication data exposed to unauthorized system users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which describes improper permission assignment for critical resources, and more specifically with CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials. The software fails to enforce proper discretionary access control mechanisms when creating credential storage files, resulting in default file permissions that allow read access to all users on the system. This design flaw creates an inherent weakness in the software's security posture, as it violates fundamental principles of least privilege and secure credential management. The vulnerability operates at the file system level, where the application creates configuration files containing username and password information without applying restrictive file permissions that would limit access to only authorized processes or users.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-0916 extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating a significant attack surface that could enable various malicious activities within compromised environments. An attacker with local system access could easily retrieve stored credentials and potentially escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to additional systems that rely on the same authentication credentials. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which covers credentials from password stores, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts. The exposure of account names and passwords through improperly secured files creates opportunities for lateral movement attacks and persistent access within network environments where WebTrends software is deployed. Organizations using this software faced increased risk of credential compromise, particularly in multi-user environments where file system permissions were not properly enforced.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper file access controls and secure credential handling practices. System administrators should ensure that all credential storage files are created with restrictive permissions, typically limiting access to the specific user or process that requires the credentials. The recommended approach involves implementing mandatory access controls that enforce proper file permissions during credential file creation, preventing unauthorized access to stored authentication data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing alternative authentication mechanisms that do not rely on local file storage for sensitive credentials, such as centralized authentication systems or encrypted credential storage solutions. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper security configuration management and demonstrates how simple oversight in file permission settings can create significant security risks. Regular security audits should verify that credential files maintain appropriate access restrictions and that system configurations comply with established security baseline requirements. Organizations should also implement monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to credential files and establish incident response procedures for credential compromise scenarios.