Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Path privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
4.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as problematic has been reported in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Path Handler. The manipulation with the input . leads to privileges management. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-1999-1217. The attack can only be performed from a local environment. Furthermore, an exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (Operating System) and classified as problematic. This issue affects an unknown code of the component Path Handler. The manipulation with the input value . leads to a privileges management vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The PATH in Windows NT includes the current working directory (.), which could allow local users to gain privileges by placing Trojan horse programs with the same name as commonly used system programs into certain directories.

The weakness was published 07/25/1997 as not defined posting (Bugtraq). It is possible to read the advisory at marc.theaimsgroup.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-1999-1217. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. A simple authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details as well as a public exploit are known. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

It is declared as proof-of-concept.

Upgrading to version XP or 2000 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at X-Force (526). marc.theaimsgroup.com is providing further details. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.8

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.8
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Windows XP/2000

Timelineinfo

07/25/1997 🔍
07/25/1997 +0 days 🔍
06/18/2014 +6172 days 🔍
04/16/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com
Product: microsoft.com

Advisory: marc.theaimsgroup.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-1217 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-1217
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13955
X-Force: 526 - Microsoft Windows NT path is insecure and can be easily trojaned

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
Misc.: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/18/2014 15:51
Updated: 04/16/2026 22:43
Changes: 06/18/2014 15:51 (45), 04/07/2017 16:02 (12), 04/16/2026 22:43 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Do you need the next level of professionalism?

Upgrade your account now!