CVE-1999-0932 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Mediahouse Statistics Server versions 4.28 and 5.1. The vulnerability arises because the administrator password is stored in cleartext within the configuration file named ss.cfg. This file is accessible remotely, allowing an unauthenticated attacker with local access to the system to read the administrator password directly. The vulnerability is characterized by a low attack complexity and no authentication requirement, but it requires local access (AV:L) to the system. Once the attacker obtains the administrator password, they can gain full control over the statistics server, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system and its data. The CVSS score of 7.2 reflects the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, despite the limited attack vector. No patches are currently available for this vulnerability, and there are no known exploits in the wild. The root cause is insecure storage of sensitive credentials, which is a fundamental security flaw in the product's design and deployment.

For European organizations using Mediahouse Statistics Server versions 4.28 or 5.1, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. An attacker with local access could retrieve the administrator password and gain full administrative privileges over the statistics server. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive statistical data, manipulation or deletion of data, and disruption of service availability. Given that statistics servers often handle critical business intelligence and operational metrics, compromise could affect decision-making processes and operational continuity. Additionally, if the compromised server is integrated with other internal systems or networks, the attacker could leverage the access to pivot and escalate privileges further, potentially impacting broader IT infrastructure. The lack of a patch means organizations must rely on compensating controls to mitigate risk. The vulnerability's age and lack of recent exploitation reports suggest it may be less relevant in modern environments, but legacy systems or those not updated remain at risk.

Since no official patch is available, European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict access to the ss.cfg configuration file using strict file system permissions to ensure only trusted administrators can read it. 2) Limit local access to the server by enforcing strong physical security and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized users from reaching the host. 3) Replace or upgrade the Mediahouse Statistics Server to a more secure and supported analytics solution that does not store passwords in cleartext. 4) If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement compensating controls such as encrypting the file system or using host-based intrusion detection systems to monitor unauthorized access attempts. 5) Regularly audit and monitor access logs for suspicious activity related to the statistics server. 6) Educate administrators about the risks of storing passwords in cleartext and encourage the use of secure credential management practices. 7) Consider isolating the statistics server in a dedicated network segment with limited connectivity to reduce attack surface.