CVE-1999-0375 describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the webd component of Network Flight Recorder (NFR) version 2.0.2-Research. Network Flight Recorder is a network monitoring and analysis tool that captures and records network traffic for diagnostic and forensic purposes. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of input data within the webd service, which is likely a web-based interface or daemon component of NFR. This buffer overflow allows remote attackers to send specially crafted requests that overflow a buffer, overwriting adjacent memory and enabling arbitrary command execution on the affected system without authentication. The CVSS v2 score of 7.5 (high) reflects the ease of exploitation (network accessible, no authentication required) and the severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, potentially gaining root or administrative privileges. Given the age of this vulnerability (published in 1999) and the lack of available patches, systems running this specific version of NFR remain at risk if still in use. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active targeting, but the critical nature of the flaw means any exposed instances are highly vulnerable to exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant if Network Flight Recorder 2.0.2-Research is deployed within their network infrastructure. Compromise of NFR systems could lead to attackers gaining a foothold inside the network, enabling lateral movement, data exfiltration, or disruption of network monitoring capabilities. This could undermine incident detection and response efforts, increasing the risk of prolonged undetected intrusions. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers could access sensitive captured network data. Integrity and availability are also threatened, as attackers could modify or disable the monitoring system. Although NFR is a niche product, organizations relying on it for network forensics or monitoring, especially in critical sectors such as telecommunications, finance, or government, could face operational and reputational damage. The risk is heightened in environments where legacy systems remain in use without regular updates or patches.

Given that no patches are available for this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Immediate isolation or removal of Network Flight Recorder 2.0.2-Research instances from internet-facing or untrusted networks to reduce exposure. 2) Restrict access to the webd service using network segmentation and firewall rules, allowing only trusted management hosts to connect. 3) Monitor network traffic and logs for unusual activity targeting the webd service or signs of exploitation attempts. 4) Where possible, upgrade to a newer, supported network monitoring solution that does not contain this vulnerability. 5) Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to detect anomalous command execution or memory corruption attempts on NFR hosts. 6) Conduct regular security audits to identify legacy or unsupported software in use and develop a decommissioning or replacement plan. 7) Implement strict access controls and multi-factor authentication on management interfaces to reduce risk from compromised credentials, even though this vulnerability does not require authentication.