Siemens SIMATIC PCS neo

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, please see Siemens' ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global).

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 8.0
• ATTENTION: Exploitable from adjacent network/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Siemens
• Equipment: SIMATIC PCS neo
• Vulnerabilities: Missing Authentication for Critical Function, SQL Injection, Permissive Cross-domain Policy with Untrusted Domains, Cross-site Scripting

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to generate a privileged token and upload additional documents, execute SQL statements, trick a legitimate user to trigger unwanted behavior, and inject Javascript code into the application that is later executed by another legitimate user.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following Siemens products are affected:

• SIMATIC PCS neo: Versions prior to V4.1

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 MISSING AUTHENTICATION FOR CRITICAL FUNCTION CWE-306

The PUD Manager of affected products does not properly authenticate users in the PUD Manager web service. This could allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to generate a privileged token and upload additional documents.

CVE-2023-46096 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.5 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N).

3.2.2 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF SPECIAL ELEMENTS USED IN AN SQL COMMAND ('SQL INJECTION') CWE-89

The PUD Manager of affected products does not properly neutralize user provided inputs. This could allow an authenticated adjacent attacker to execute SQL statements in the underlying database.

CVE-2023-46097 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.3 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L).

3.2.3 PERMISSIVE CROSS-DOMAIN POLICY WITH UNTRUSTED DOMAINS CWE-942

When accessing the Information Server from affected products, the products use an overly permissive CORS policy. This could allow an attacker to trick a legitimate user to trigger unwanted behavior.

CVE-2023-46098 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.0 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.2.4 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF INPUT DURING WEB PAGE GENERATION ('CROSS-SITE SCRIPTING') CWE-79

There is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Administration Console of the affected product, that could allow an attacker with high privileges to inject Javascript code into the application that is later executed by another legitimate user.

CVE-2023-46099 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.4 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Multiple
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Michael Messner from Siemens Energy reported these vulnerabilities to Siemens.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens has released a new version for SIMATIC PCS neo and recommends to update to the latest version:

• SIMATIC PCS neo: Update to V4.1 or later version

As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens' operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage.

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-456933 in HTML and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• November 16, 2023: Initial Publication