CVE-2011-4509 in SIMATIC HMI panel
Summary
by MITRE
The HMI web server in Siemens WinCC flexible 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008; WinCC V11 (aka TIA portal); the TP, OP, MP, Comfort Panels, and Mobile Panels SIMATIC HMI panels; WinCC V11 Runtime Advanced; and WinCC flexible Runtime has an improperly selected default password for the administrator account, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force approach involving many HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4509 represents a critical authentication flaw affecting multiple Siemens HMI products including WinCC flexible versions 2004 through 2008, WinCC V11 (TIA Portal), various SIMATIC HMI panels, and related runtime environments. This weakness stems from the improper configuration of default credentials for administrator accounts, creating a significant security risk that directly impacts industrial control systems and supervisory control and data acquisition environments. The flaw specifically affects the HMI web server component, which serves as the primary interface for remote access to these industrial devices, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a hardcoded default password that remains unchanged in many deployments, particularly in environments where security configurations are not properly managed or updated. This default credential allows attackers to perform brute-force authentication attempts against the web server interface through HTTP requests, exploiting the predictable nature of the administrator password. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-798 as the use of hard-coded credentials, which represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that significantly weakens the authentication mechanism. Attackers can systematically test the default password across multiple targets, making this approach particularly effective against poorly configured industrial systems where security updates are infrequent or absent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected HMI systems. This level of access provides malicious actors with the ability to modify system configurations, alter operational parameters, access sensitive operational data, and potentially disrupt industrial processes. The vulnerability affects critical infrastructure components including TP, OP, MP, Comfort Panels, and Mobile Panels SIMATIC HMI panels, which are fundamental to industrial automation and control systems. The risk is particularly severe in environments where these systems control critical manufacturing processes, power generation, or other essential infrastructure operations, as unauthorized access could lead to production disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4509 should focus on immediate credential management and network security measures. Organizations must implement mandatory password changes for all administrator accounts, enforce strong password policies, and disable default accounts where possible. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these systems to external networks, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's credential access and lateral movement tactics. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security configuration management and the need for regular security assessments of industrial control systems. Security practitioners should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication attempts and establish regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify unpatched or misconfigured systems. Additionally, the affected systems should be updated to versions that properly address the default credential issue, with administrators ensuring that all default accounts are either disabled or have strong, unique passwords assigned during initial deployment.