CVE-1999-1276 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
fte-console in the fte package before 0.46b-4.1 does not drop root privileges, which allows local users to gain root access via the virtual console device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1276 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the fte package, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.46b-4.1. This issue resides in the fte-console component which fails to properly relinquish root privileges after initialization, creating a persistent security weakness that local attackers can exploit to achieve unauthorized system access. The flaw manifests through the virtual console device interface, where the application maintains elevated privileges unnecessarily throughout its operation.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and specifically demonstrates a failure in privilege management within a system component. The technical implementation error occurs when the fte-console application initializes and establishes its connection to the virtual console device without properly executing privilege dropping mechanisms. The application continues to operate with root permissions even when performing operations that do not require such elevated access levels, creating an attack surface that malicious local users can leverage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation attacks without requiring any special authentication or network access. An attacker with local system access can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where the fte package is installed and actively used, particularly those relying on virtual console functionality for terminal emulation or system administration tasks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to fte package version 0.46b-4.1 or later, which contains the necessary privilege dropping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in other system components. The fix typically involves implementing proper privilege separation techniques where applications drop root privileges immediately upon initialization and only elevate privileges when absolutely necessary for specific operations. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can result in critical security breaches. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and maintain compliance with security frameworks that emphasize proper access control and privilege management practices.