CVE-1999-0197

finger 0@host on some systems may print information on some user accounts

published February 4, 2000

CVSS
β€”
EPSS
2%
Percentile
76.3
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

πŸ’‘ A simple `finger` command could reveal sensitive user account information on certain systems – like a nosy neighbor peeking through the blinds! πŸ‘€ This vulnerability is like leaving your mail slot wide open; anyone can peek in and see who lives there. If an attacker knows how to ask, they can gather info about user accounts without much effort at all. While it might not lead to immediate chaos, an attacker could gather insights that help them in more harmful activities later. Think of it as giving away the names and addresses of the residents in your neighborhood without anyone realizing it!

Put simply

This vulnerability is like leaving your mail slot wide open; anyone can peek in and see who lives there. If an attacker knows how to ask, they can gather info about user accounts without much effort at all. The flaw lies in the `finger` command, which, when run with `0@host`, can expose user account information unintentionally, enabling information disclosure.

What to do

While it might not lead to immediate chaos, an attacker could gather insights that help them in more harmful activities later. Think of it as giving away the names and addresses of the residents in your neighborhood without anyone realizing it! To protect your systems, consider disabling the `finger` service if it’s not in active use. It's also a good idea to check your user account privacy settings to ensure no sensitive information is being displayed. You've got this! With a few tweaks, you can keep your user info safe and sound! πŸ›‘οΈ

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01648 Β· 76.3th percentile
Published
2000-02-04T05:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 04 FEB 05:00Z
    finger 0@host on some systems may print information on some user accounts
    cvelistv5