CVE-1999-1249 in HP-UX
Summary
by MITRE
movemail in HP-UX 10.20 has insecure permissions, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1249 affects the movemail utility in HP-UX 10.20 operating system, representing a classic privilege escalation flaw that exploits insecure file permissions. This issue resides within the system's mail handling mechanism where movemail is used to move mail between mailboxes, typically invoked by the system to process incoming mail for users. The vulnerability stems from the utility being installed with overly permissive file permissions that allow local users to manipulate the program's execution environment or directly modify its behavior.
The technical flaw manifests when movemail is configured with world-writable permissions or when it relies on insecure temporary files that can be modified by unauthorized users. This creates an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks where local users can exploit the insecure permissions to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for关键 system resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation through local system vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness by either modifying the movemail binary itself or by manipulating the environment in which it executes to gain root access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to the system and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure. Local users who can access the system through legitimate means can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where system integrity is paramount. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the HP-UX 10.20 system by undermining the principle of least privilege, allowing users to bypass normal access controls and escalate their privileges to root level. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on HP-UX systems where proper access controls and privilege management are essential for maintaining system security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate permission fixes, including setting proper file permissions on the movemail utility to restrict access to authorized users only. The system administrator should ensure that the movemail binary has restrictive permissions such as 755 or 750, preventing unauthorized modification or execution by non-privileged users. Additionally, the system should be updated to a newer version of HP-UX that addresses this specific permission issue, as HP-UX 10.20 represents an older release that likely contains multiple other security vulnerabilities. Implementation of proper access control lists and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar permission-related issues throughout the system. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control and system configuration management, ensuring that the system maintains appropriate security postures against local privilege escalation attacks.