CVE-1999-1274 in RoamServer
Summary
by MITRE
ipass roamserver 3.1 creates temporary files with world-writable permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1274 affects the ipass roamserver version 3.1, specifically targeting its handling of temporary file creation processes. This issue represents a fundamental security flaw in the software's permission management system where temporary files are generated with world-writable permissions, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly implement secure temporary file creation practices, which is a critical component of secure software development methodologies.
The technical flaw manifests when the ipass roamserver creates temporary files during its normal operational procedures. These temporary files are inadvertently configured with permissions that allow any user on the system to write to them, effectively creating a race condition vulnerability. An attacker can exploit this weakness by creating symbolic links or by directly overwriting the temporary files with malicious content, potentially leading to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-732, which specifically addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic example of improper file system permissions that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the server's behavior in multiple ways. When temporary files are world-writable, malicious users can inject malicious code that gets executed when the server processes these files, potentially compromising the entire system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where different users share the same system resources, as it provides a straightforward path for unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges or modify system-critical components. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the compromised temporary files to execute malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate permission corrections and implementation of secure temporary file handling practices. System administrators should immediately modify the permission settings on existing temporary files to restrict write access to only the intended user or process. The recommended approach involves implementing proper temporary file creation using secure methods such as creating files with restrictive permissions (typically 600 or 644) and ensuring that the parent directory permissions are appropriately configured to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, the ipass roamserver should be updated to a newer version that properly implements secure temporary file creation or patched to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual file access patterns and establish regular security audits to identify similar permission misconfigurations across their systems. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper resource management techniques as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST SP 800-53 security controls.