CVE-1999-1256 in Database Assistant
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle Database Assistant 1.0 in Oracle 8.0.3 Enterprise Edition stores the database master password in plaintext in the spoolmain.log file when a new database is created, which allows local users to obtain the password from that file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1256 represents a critical security flaw in Oracle Database Assistant 1.0 version 1.0 shipped with Oracle 8.0.3 Enterprise Edition. This issue stems from poor security practices in how the database installation process handles sensitive authentication credentials. The flaw specifically manifests during the creation of a new database when the system generates a spoolmain.log file that contains the master database password in an unencrypted, human-readable format. This represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management and data protection practices that was prevalent in database systems of that era.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Oracle Database Assistant component writing plaintext credentials to a log file without any form of encryption or access controls. The spoolmain.log file becomes a repository of sensitive information that can be accessed by any local user with appropriate file system permissions. This design flaw directly violates several security principles including the principle of least privilege and the requirement for secure credential storage. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) which specifically addresses the storage of sensitive data in an unencrypted format that can be easily accessed by unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using Oracle 8.0.3 Enterprise Edition. Local attackers who gain access to the system can trivially extract the master database password from the spoolmain.log file, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the entire database system. This creates a significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of database operations, as the master password provides administrative access to the entire database infrastructure. This flaw essentially undermines the security foundation of the database system, making it trivial for local attackers to escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over database operations.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1003 (OS Credential Dumping) and T1566 (Phishing) as it provides an easy method for credential theft. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards, particularly in the area of access control and data protection. Organizations with systems containing this vulnerability would be considered non-compliant with basic security requirements for protecting sensitive information. The flaw represents a classic example of how insecure programming practices and inadequate security testing can create exploitable conditions that persist for extended periods, as evidenced by the long timeframe between the vulnerability disclosure and its remediation. System administrators should immediately implement access controls on log files and ensure that database installation processes properly secure sensitive information through encryption or other protective measures to prevent unauthorized access to critical credentials.