CVE-1999-1369 in RealServer
Summary
by MITRE
Real Media RealServer (rmserver) 6.0.3.353 stores a password in plaintext in the world-readable rmserver.cfg file, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1369 represents a critical configuration flaw in RealMedia RealServer version 6.0.3.353 that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper file permissions. This issue falls under the category of weak credential storage mechanisms and directly violates fundamental security principles governing the protection of authentication data. The vulnerability stems from the server's configuration file rmserver.cfg which contains password information in unencrypted plaintext format, making it accessible to any local user with read permissions on the system.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a failure in proper access control and privilege separation within the RealServer application. When the server initializes, it writes authentication credentials to the rmserver.cfg file using world-readable permissions, typically set to 644 or similar permissive modes. This configuration allows any user account on the system to read the file contents and extract the plaintext passwords, effectively bypassing any authentication mechanisms the system should have in place. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue since local users can leverage this information to gain elevated system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables unauthorized local users to potentially compromise the entire media server infrastructure. Attackers with basic local access can immediately exploit this weakness to gain administrative privileges within the RealServer environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where local access might be granted to untrusted parties. This flaw directly relates to CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a classic example of insecure data handling practices that violate the principle of least privilege and proper credential management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through proper file permission management and credential protection. System administrators must ensure that the rmserver.cfg file is configured with restrictive permissions, typically setting ownership to the root user and restricting access to only the necessary service account. The most effective immediate fix involves changing file permissions to 600 or similar restrictive modes and ensuring that the configuration file is not world-readable. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of RealServer that properly encrypts or obfuscates password storage would provide a comprehensive solution. Organizations should also implement regular security audits to identify similar configuration weaknesses in other services and establish proper file permission policies that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Center for Internet Security and NIST guidelines for secure system configuration. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper file access controls and demonstrates how simple misconfigurations can lead to significant security breaches in networked applications.