CVE-1999-1381 in Dbadmin
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in dbadmin CGI program 1.0.1 on Linux allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1381 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the dbadmin CGI program version 1.0.1 running on Linux systems. This issue resides within the web server's common gateway interface implementation, specifically targeting the dbadmin utility that was commonly used for database administration tasks through web interfaces. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the CGI script that fails to properly constrain user-supplied data before processing it in memory buffers. The flaw manifests when the program receives overly long input strings that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability places the system at significant risk as it allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow through carefully crafted input sequences. When the vulnerable CGI program processes user input without adequate bounds checking, it creates a condition where an attacker can overflow the buffer and potentially overwrite the return address on the stack. This memory corruption enables remote code execution capabilities, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no local access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited over the network without authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-1381 extends beyond simple command execution, as it can provide attackers with complete control over affected systems. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive data, modify database contents, install backdoors, or establish persistent access to the compromised infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems where the dbadmin CGI program is deployed, typically in environments using older web server configurations or legacy database administration interfaces. Organizations running vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as network-level protections such as input validation firewalls and web application firewalls. The primary solution involves upgrading to patched versions of the dbadmin CGI program or removing the vulnerable component entirely from production environments. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for exploitation attempts, establish network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems, and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected applications or services. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and bounds checking in all web applications aligns with security best practices and helps prevent similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities from occurring in the future, following principles established in the CWE catalog under buffer overflow categories and aligned with ATT&CK techniques targeting remote code execution through web application vulnerabilities.