CVE-1999-0982 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Sun Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) installation script versions 1.0, 2.0, and 8.0. The core issue lies in the installation script storing a password in plaintext within a file that is world-readable on the affected system. This means that any user or process with access to the file system can read the password without any restrictions. The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 7.2, indicating a high impact. The vector metrics specify that the attack requires local access (AV:L), has low attack complexity (AC:L), requires no authentication (Au:N), and results in complete compromise of confidentiality (C:C), integrity (I:C), and availability (A:C). Since the password is stored in plaintext and accessible to all users, an attacker with local access can easily retrieve credentials that may allow further unauthorized access or privilege escalation. The lack of a patch or mitigation from the vendor increases the risk, especially in legacy environments where these versions might still be in use. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the simplicity of exploitation and the critical nature of the password exposure make this vulnerability a significant risk for affected systems.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, particularly for those relying on legacy Sun WBEM installations for enterprise management tasks. Exposure of plaintext passwords can lead to unauthorized access to management interfaces, enabling attackers to manipulate system configurations, disrupt services, or exfiltrate sensitive data. This can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical infrastructure components. Organizations in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, energy, and government, where Sun systems may still be operational, could face operational disruptions and regulatory compliance issues due to data breaches. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within internal networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Given the local access requirement, insider threats or attackers who have gained initial footholds through other means could exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges or maintain persistence.

Since no official patch is available, European organizations should implement specific mitigations to reduce risk. First, restrict file system permissions immediately on the installation script and any files storing passwords to limit access strictly to administrative users. Conduct audits to identify and remove any world-readable files containing sensitive credentials. Replace or upgrade legacy Sun WBEM installations to supported versions or alternative management solutions that do not exhibit this vulnerability. Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. Implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit local access to systems running vulnerable WBEM versions. Additionally, enforce strong password policies and consider rotating any passwords that may have been exposed. Finally, educate system administrators about the risks of storing plaintext passwords and encourage secure credential management practices such as using encrypted credential stores or vaults.