CVE-1999-1344 is a vulnerability found in the Auto_FTP 0.2 software, specifically in the Auto_FTP.pl script. This vulnerability arises because the script stores usernames and passwords in plaintext within the auto_ftp.conf configuration file. Storing credentials in plaintext means that anyone with access to this configuration file can directly read sensitive authentication information without any encryption or obfuscation. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P) shows that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without any authentication, with low attack complexity, and it impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although this vulnerability dates back to 1999 and no patches are available, the core issue is the insecure handling of credentials, which can lead to unauthorized access to FTP servers if an attacker gains access to the configuration file. Exploitation could allow attackers to intercept or manipulate file transfers, compromise data integrity, and disrupt availability of services relying on FTP automation. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the fundamental weakness remains a significant security risk if the software is still in use.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on whether Auto_FTP 0.2 or similar legacy FTP automation tools are still in use. If so, attackers who gain access to the system or network where the auto_ftp.conf file resides can easily obtain FTP credentials, leading to unauthorized access to internal or external FTP servers. This could result in data breaches involving sensitive or regulated information, manipulation or deletion of critical files, and disruption of business processes relying on automated FTP transfers. Given the high CVSS score, the vulnerability poses a risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and services. European organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) face additional compliance risks and potential penalties if such a breach occurs. The risk is heightened in environments where FTP is used for transferring sensitive data without additional encryption layers. However, the age of the vulnerability and lack of known exploits suggest that modern environments may have mitigated this risk by migrating to more secure protocols or updated software.

Since no patch is available for Auto_FTP 0.2, organizations should consider the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediately discontinue use of Auto_FTP 0.2 and replace it with modern, actively maintained FTP automation tools that do not store credentials in plaintext and support secure authentication methods. 2) If replacement is not immediately possible, restrict access to the auto_ftp.conf file using strict file system permissions to limit exposure only to authorized administrators. 3) Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to systems running Auto_FTP, reducing the attack surface. 4) Use encrypted FTP protocols such as FTPS or SFTP instead of plain FTP to protect credentials in transit. 5) Regularly audit systems for legacy software usage and credential storage practices to identify and remediate similar risks. 6) Implement multi-factor authentication on FTP servers where possible to reduce the impact of credential disclosure. 7) Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual FTP activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.