CVE-1999-1282 in RealSystem G2 Server
Summary
by MITRE
RealSystem G2 server stores the administrator password in cleartext in a world-readable configuration file, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1282 represents a critical security flaw in the RealSystem G2 server implementation that fundamentally undermines the integrity of authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from poor security design practices where administrative credentials are stored in an unencrypted format within a configuration file that lacks proper access controls. The configuration file is accessible to all users on the system due to its world-readable permissions, creating an exploitable condition that directly violates fundamental security principles of credential protection.
The technical flaw manifests as a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation. When the RealSystem G2 server initializes, it writes administrative passwords to a configuration file using cleartext formatting without any encryption or access restriction mechanisms. This configuration file becomes a repository of privileged credentials that can be read by any user account on the system, effectively nullifying the security boundaries that should protect administrative access. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in the implementation of authentication mechanisms and falls under the broader category of credential storage vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise potential. Local users who can access the configuration file gain immediate administrative privileges within the RealSystem G2 environment, enabling them to modify server configurations, access protected content, manipulate user accounts, and potentially establish backdoors or persistent access. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that transforms local user access into administrative control, with implications for data integrity, confidentiality, and system availability. The vulnerability directly maps to attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access tactics.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials. This weakness demonstrates poor secure coding practices where developers failed to implement proper credential handling mechanisms or failed to consider the security implications of storing sensitive data in accessible locations. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect access control, as the configuration file lacks proper permissions that would prevent unauthorized access to administrative credentials. Organizations running RealSystem G2 servers were left vulnerable to insider threats and local attackers who could exploit this flaw to gain complete administrative control.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper file access controls and credential management practices. System administrators should modify the file permissions of the configuration file to restrict access to only the necessary service account or administrative users. The configuration file should be encrypted or protected using appropriate cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to stored credentials. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar credential storage vulnerabilities across their infrastructure. The remediation process should include proper access control configuration, credential encryption implementation, and ongoing monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration files. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure credential handling and proper access control implementation in server applications.