CVE-1999-1322 is a vulnerability identified in the installation process of Broadcom's ArcServe Backup and Inoculan antivirus client modules for Microsoft Exchange. During installation, these modules create a log file named exchverify.log that contains sensitive information, specifically usernames and passwords, stored in plaintext. This exposure of credentials in an unprotected log file presents a significant security risk, as any user or attacker with access to the file system can retrieve these credentials without needing to bypass encryption or other protections. The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 4.6 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is local (AV:L), the attack complexity is low (AC:L), no authentication is required (Au:N), and the impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:P/I:P/A:P). Although the vulnerability dates back to 1998 and no patches are available, the risk remains relevant for any legacy systems still running these versions. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active exploitation, but the presence of plaintext credentials in logs is a fundamental security flaw that could be leveraged by insiders or attackers who gain local access.

For European organizations using ArcServe Backup or Inoculan AV client modules integrated with Microsoft Exchange, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to critical systems. The exposure of plaintext credentials compromises confidentiality and integrity, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, move laterally within networks, or disrupt backup and email services. This could result in data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and operational downtime. Given the importance of data protection under regulations such as GDPR, the presence of such vulnerabilities could also lead to compliance violations and associated penalties. Organizations relying on legacy backup and antivirus solutions without updated security controls are particularly at risk.

Since no official patches are available for this vulnerability, European organizations should implement compensating controls. These include restricting access to the exchverify.log file through strict file system permissions, ensuring only authorized administrators can read or modify it. Organizations should audit and monitor access to this log file to detect any unauthorized attempts. Additionally, migrating to updated backup and antivirus solutions that do not exhibit this vulnerability is strongly recommended. If migration is not immediately feasible, organizations should consider encrypting the file system or directories containing the log files to prevent unauthorized access. Regularly reviewing and rotating credentials used by these modules can also reduce the window of exposure. Finally, implementing network segmentation to limit local access to backup servers and Exchange systems can reduce the risk of exploitation.