ICS Alert

Siemens SIMATIC Controllers Password Protection Vulnerability

Last Revised
Alert Code
ICS-ALERT-11-186-01

Description

This alert describes vulnerabilities affecting Siemens SIMATIC Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).

SUMMARY

ICS-CERT is continuing to coordinate with Siemens concerning vulnerabilities affecting Siemens SIMATIC Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). In May of 2011, security researcher Dillon Beresford of NSS LabsNSS Labs, http://www.nsslabs.com, website last accessed June 10, 2011. reported multiple vulnerabilities to ICS-CERT that affect the Siemens Simatic S7-1200 micro PLC as reported in ICS-ALERT-11-161-01. The replay attack vulnerabilities affecting the S7-1200 also are verified to affect the SIMATIC S7-200, S7-300, and S7-400 PLCs. Siemens PLCs configured with password protection are still susceptible to a replay attack.

Commands between the affected PLCs and other devices are transmitted using the International Organization for Standardization Transport Service Access Point (ISO-TSAP) protocol. According to ICS-CERT analysis, the ISO-TSAP protocol is functioning to specifications; however, authentication is not performed nor are payloads encrypted or obfuscated. Like ISO-TSAP, many protocols used in industrial control systems were intentionally designed to be open and without security features.

ICS-CERT will publish additional information as it becomes available.

IMPACT

An attacker with access to the PLC or the automation network could intercept the PLC password and make unauthorized changes to the PLC operation.

The full impact to individual organizations is dependent on multiple factors unique to each organization. The ICS-CERT recommends that organizations evaluate the impact of these vulnerabilities based on their environment, architecture, and operational product implementation.

MITIGATION

ICS-CERT continues to work with Siemens to develop specific mitigations for the reported vulnerabilities.

The following mitigations can be implemented to reduce the risk of impact by the reported vulnerabilities:

  • ICS-CERT and Siemens recommend that asset owners/operators apply a properly configured strong password to each PLC. Changing this password frequently and using unique passwords, when possible, will reduce exposure to this vulnerability.
  • Defense-in-depth strategies for both enterprise and control system networks; see the ICS-CERT Recommended Practice document, Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies and Siemens’ Industrial Security website  for more information on how to apply these measures.
  • Siemens recommends that concerned customers block all traffic to the PROFIBUS, MPI, and PROFINET protocol-based devices from outside the Manufacturing Zone by restricting or blocking Ethernet access to 102/TCP and 102/UDP, using appropriate security technology.
  • Restrict remote access to enterprise and control system networks and diligently monitor any remote connections allowed; employ Virtual Private Network for any remote system connections.

Siemens has published a document regarding the vulnerability affecting the SIMATIC S7-200, S7-300, S7-400, and S7-1200 products.Potential Password Security Weakness in SIMATIC Controllers, http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/51401544, website last accessed July 5, 2011.

ICS-CERT will release information concerning additional mitigations as they become available.

FOLLOW-UP

ICS-CERT published a follow-up advisory titled ICSA-11-223-01 - Siemens SIMATIC PLCs Reported Issues Summary on the ICS-CERT Web page on August 21, 2011.

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Vendor

  • Siemens