CVE-1999-1590 describes a directory traversal vulnerability in version 2.3 of the wwwcount software, specifically in the Count.cgi script developed by Muhammad A. Muquit. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to read arbitrary GIF files on the server by exploiting improper input validation of the 'image' parameter. By including ".." sequences in the parameter, an attacker can traverse directories and access files outside the intended directory scope. This is distinct from another vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0021. The vulnerability requires some level of authentication (as indicated by the CVSS vector), and the attack complexity is moderate. The impact is limited to confidentiality, allowing attackers to read certain files but not modify or delete them. No patches are available for this vulnerability, and there are no known exploits in the wild. Given the age of the vulnerability (published in 1999) and the low CVSS score of 3.5, it is considered a low-severity issue today, but it could still pose a risk in legacy systems that continue to run this outdated software without mitigation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is generally low due to the limited scope of affected software (wwwcount 2.3) and the low severity rating. However, organizations still running legacy web analytics or CGI-based scripts like wwwcount could face confidentiality breaches if attackers exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive GIF files or other files accessible via directory traversal. This could lead to unauthorized disclosure of information, potentially including proprietary images or web assets. While the vulnerability does not allow modification or denial of service, the exposure of confidential files could aid further reconnaissance or social engineering attacks. The risk is higher in sectors where legacy systems are maintained for compliance or operational reasons, such as government agencies, educational institutions, or small businesses with limited IT modernization budgets.

Since no official patch is available for this vulnerability, European organizations should consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately discontinue use of wwwcount version 2.3 and replace it with modern, actively maintained web analytics tools that follow secure coding practices. 2) If replacement is not immediately possible, restrict access to the Count.cgi script via network-level controls such as firewalls or web application firewalls (WAFs) to trusted IP addresses only. 3) Implement input validation and sanitization at the web server or proxy level to block requests containing directory traversal sequences (e.g., '..') in parameters. 4) Conduct file system permissions audits to ensure that the web server user has minimal read access, preventing exposure of sensitive files outside the intended directories. 5) Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests targeting the image parameter with traversal patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6) Educate IT staff about legacy vulnerabilities and the importance of timely software upgrades to reduce attack surface.