CVE-1999-1467 in SunOS
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in rcp on SunOS 4.0.x allows remote attackers from trusted hosts to execute arbitrary commands as root, possibly related to the configuration of the nobody user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1467 represents a critical security flaw in the remote copy utility rcp that was prevalent in SunOS 4.0.x operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the trust relationship model that SunOS employed for remote file copying operations, creating a dangerous condition where remote attackers could exploit the system's configuration to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. The flaw manifests when trusted hosts attempt to use rcp for file transfers, as the system fails to properly validate the authenticity of the remote host's identity during the authentication process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the established trust framework that administrators typically rely upon for legitimate remote operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the nobody user account within the SunOS rcp implementation. This flaw is categorized under CWE-284 Access Control, specifically related to inadequate access control mechanisms for privileged operations. The rcp utility in SunOS 4.0.x versions failed to properly verify that the user account used for remote operations had legitimate authorization to perform the requested actions. When a trusted host attempted to execute rcp commands, the system would incorrectly grant elevated privileges to the remote user, allowing them to execute commands as root without proper authentication. This misconfiguration essentially bypasses the normal user privilege escalation controls that should prevent unauthorized access to system-level operations.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-1467 is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. Remote attackers who can establish a trusted host relationship with a vulnerable SunOS system can immediately gain root access to execute arbitrary commands, install malware, modify system files, or completely compromise the integrity of the affected system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can leverage the system's own command execution capabilities against themselves. The attack surface is particularly broad because many systems in the late 1990s had multiple trusted host relationships configured for legitimate administrative purposes, making it relatively easy for attackers to find vulnerable targets. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 Phishing, as attackers could potentially use this flaw to gain initial access to systems that were already configured with trusted host relationships.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-1999-1467 require immediate administrative action to address the fundamental trust model flaw. System administrators should disable rcp functionality entirely and migrate to more secure alternatives such as scp or sftp for remote file transfers. The configuration of the nobody user account must be carefully reviewed and restricted to prevent privilege escalation opportunities. Additionally, administrators should implement strict host-based access controls and disable trusted host relationships for rcp operations. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be deployed to limit access to systems running vulnerable versions of SunOS. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as Principle of Least Privilege and Defense in Depth, ensuring that even if one security control fails, other protections remain effective. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts or unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.