CVE-1999-1401 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
vulnerability in desktop searchbook program in irix 5.0.x through 6.2 sets insecure permissions for certain user files (iconbook and searchbook).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1401 represents a classic privilege escalation issue affecting the IRIX operating system versions 5.0 through 6.2. This flaw specifically targets the desktop searchbook program which is part of the IRIX desktop environment. The vulnerability stems from improper permission settings assigned to critical user files, namely iconbook and searchbook, which are essential components for desktop search functionality within the IRIX graphical user interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the desktop searchbook program creating or modifying user files with insecure permission settings that allow unauthorized access. According to CWE-732, this represents an incorrect permission assignment where the system fails to properly restrict file access permissions. The insecure permissions typically grant world-readable or world-writable access to sensitive user data files, potentially exposing personal information or allowing malicious users to manipulate search indexes and desktop configuration files. This vulnerability operates under the principle of least privilege violation where user files are created with overly permissive access controls that exceed the necessary security requirements for normal operation.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-1401 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more serious security breaches. Attackers can exploit these insecure permissions to read sensitive user data stored in the iconbook and searchbook files, which may contain personal preferences, search history, or other confidential information. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk because it affects the desktop environment's core functionality and operates at the user level where many applications store configuration data. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves the exploitation of local privilege escalation opportunities through insecure file permissions and system configuration flaws.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system administration intervention through proper permission management and system hardening. System administrators should verify that iconbook and searchbook files are created with restrictive permissions, typically limiting access to the owning user only. The recommended approach involves implementing proper file creation practices where applications explicitly set secure permissions during file creation, typically using chmod operations to restrict access to 600 or similar restrictive modes. Additionally, regular system auditing should be performed to identify and correct any existing insecure file permissions. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of desktop applications and their file handling mechanisms. Organizations running IRIX systems should also consider implementing automated permission checking tools to prevent similar issues from recurring in other applications and system components.