CVE-1999-1424 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
Solaris Solstice AdminSuite (AdminSuite) 2.1 uses unsafe permissions when adding new users to the NIS+ password table, which allows local users to gain root access by modifying their password table entries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1424 resides within the Solaris Solstice AdminSuite version 2.1, specifically targeting the NIS+ (Network Information Service Plus) password table management functionality. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that fundamentally undermines the security model of the NIS+ directory service. The vulnerability stems from improper permission handling during user account creation processes within the AdminSuite administrative framework, creating a scenario where local users can manipulate their own password table entries to gain elevated privileges.
The technical flaw manifests when the AdminSuite 2.1 application creates new user entries in the NIS+ password table. The system fails to properly enforce access controls and permission validation during this process, allowing local users to modify their own password table entries without appropriate authorization checks. This unsafe permission model enables attackers to alter their own user records in the NIS+ database, specifically targeting the password field and potentially other attributes that could be exploited for privilege escalation. The vulnerability operates at the system level where administrative tools interact with distributed security databases, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses normal authentication mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk for Solaris systems utilizing NIS+ for directory services. Local users who can access the AdminSuite application can exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges from regular user status to root access, effectively compromising the entire system. The implications extend beyond individual system security as NIS+ is commonly used in enterprise environments for centralized user management, meaning a compromised user account could potentially provide attackers with root access across multiple systems within the NIS+ domain. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the NIS+ security model, which relies on proper access controls to maintain system security boundaries.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation through service misconfiguration and credential access through modification of system files. This flaw represents a classic case of insecure permissions and inadequate input validation in administrative tools, which corresponds to CWE-276, insecure permissions, and CWE-732, incorrect permissions for a resource. Organizations using Solaris systems with NIS+ should immediately implement mitigations including restricting access to the AdminSuite application, reviewing and tightening NIS+ permissions, and ensuring proper access controls are in place for all administrative functions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper permission modeling in distributed security systems and highlights the critical need for regular security assessments of administrative tools and their interaction with system databases.
This vulnerability demonstrates the broader security implications of improper privilege management in enterprise directory services and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative tools. The issue represents a fundamental flaw in how the AdminSuite handles user creation processes within NIS+ environments, creating a pathway for local privilege escalation that bypasses traditional security controls. Organizations should implement monitoring for unauthorized modifications to NIS+ password tables and establish proper access controls for administrative tools to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other security-critical applications.