CVE-1999-0198

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

published February 4, 2000

CVSS
—
EPSS
2%
Percentile
76.3
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A simple command could expose sensitive account info! The finger .@host command on certain systems may leak details about user accounts without any special authentication needed. 😲 Think of it like a restaurant menu that shows every dish and ingredient available, even if you haven't ordered yet. Anyone can peek at it and get a taste of what others are having, without needing a reservation. If someone uses this command, they could potentially gather information about user accounts, which could be exploited for social engineering or targeted attacks. While not the most devastating breach, it’s still a privacy concern that shouldn't be ignored!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant menu that shows every dish and ingredient available, even if you haven't ordered yet. Anyone can peek at it and get a taste of what others are having, without needing a reservation. This vulnerability allows the finger command to return information about user accounts on some systems, making it indirectly possible for unauthorized users to view potentially sensitive data.

What to do

If someone uses this command, they could potentially gather information about user accounts, which could be exploited for social engineering or targeted attacks. While not the most devastating breach, it’s still a privacy concern that shouldn't be ignored! To protect against this, consider disabling the finger service on your systems if it's not needed. Regularly audit user account permissions and ensure that any sensitive information is hidden or restricted from casual queries. You've got this! By taking these simple steps, you'll keep your user data tight and secure. 🛡️

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