CVE-1999-1400 is a vulnerability identified in The Economist screen saver from 1999, specifically when the "Password Protected" option is enabled. This vulnerability allows an attacker with physical access to the affected machine to bypass the screen saver lock mechanism. The bypass is achieved by launching Internet Explorer while the screen saver is still active and locked. As a result, the attacker can gain access to the system's files without needing to authenticate or know the password. This vulnerability exploits the design flaw in the screen saver’s locking mechanism, which fails to properly restrict access to other applications during the locked state. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability in a broad network context but does allow local unauthorized file reading. The CVSS score of 2.1 (low severity) reflects the limited scope and ease of exploitation requiring physical access. No patches or fixes are available for this vulnerability, and there are no known exploits in the wild. The vulnerability is dated back to 1999 and affects a very specific and outdated product, which limits its relevance in modern environments.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is minimal in modern contexts due to the obsolescence of the affected software and the requirement for physical access. However, in rare cases where legacy systems or archival machines still run The Economist 1999 screen saver with the password protection enabled, there is a risk of unauthorized local access to files. This could lead to exposure of sensitive information stored on such machines. The vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation or system compromise beyond file reading, so it does not pose a significant threat to networked environments or critical infrastructure. Organizations with strict physical security controls and modern endpoint management are unlikely to be affected. Nonetheless, environments with lax physical security or legacy systems in use could face minor confidentiality risks.

Given the lack of patches, mitigation should focus on physical security and system configuration controls. Organizations should ensure that physical access to machines is tightly controlled and monitored to prevent unauthorized users from interacting with locked systems. Disabling or uninstalling outdated screen savers such as The Economist 1999 screen saver is recommended. If legacy systems must be maintained, replacing the screen saver with a modern, secure locking mechanism that properly restricts access is advised. Additionally, enforcing full disk encryption and strong user authentication can help protect data even if physical access is gained. Regular audits of legacy systems and removal of unsupported software will reduce exposure to such vulnerabilities. Finally, user training on the risks of physical access and proper locking procedures can further mitigate risk.