CVE-2012-3016 in SIMATIC S7-400 Cpu 414f-3 Pn
Summary
by MITRE
Siemens SIMATIC S7-400 PN CPU devices with firmware 6 before 6.0.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (defect-mode transition and service outage) via crafted ICMP packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The Siemens SIMATIC S7-400 PN CPU devices represent critical components within industrial control systems and automation environments, serving as the backbone for numerous manufacturing and infrastructure operations. These devices operate within the industrial internet of things ecosystem and are specifically designed to provide process control and automation functions in harsh industrial environments. The vulnerability identified in firmware versions prior to 6.0.3 affects the network communication protocols and packet processing mechanisms of these programmable logic controllers, potentially compromising operational continuity and system availability. This flaw exists within the ICMP packet handling functionality of the device's network stack, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these controllers in critical infrastructure sectors.
The technical flaw manifests as a vulnerability in the device's ICMP packet processing implementation where specially crafted ICMP packets can trigger an unintended system state transition. When these malformed packets are received by the affected S7-400 PN CPU devices, they cause the system to enter a defect mode that results in complete service outage. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the network protocol stack, specifically in how ICMP messages are parsed and processed. This represents a classic buffer over-read or improper state management issue where the device fails to properly validate incoming packet structures and does not implement adequate defensive mechanisms to handle malformed network traffic. The flaw operates at the network protocol level and affects the device's ability to maintain stable operation under normal network conditions, creating a remote attack vector that does not require authentication or physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire industrial processes and production lines. When affected devices transition into defect mode, they become unavailable for their intended control functions, leading to production halts, quality control failures, and potential safety hazards in environments where continuous operation is critical. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous in environments where industrial networks are connected to corporate networks or the internet. Organizations may experience significant downtime costs, production losses, and potential safety risks when these devices fail due to the denial of service attack. The vulnerability also represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, as the device's compromised state could provide opportunities for further exploitation or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 6.0.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the ICMP packet handling flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit network exposure of these devices, including the deployment of firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can filter or block malicious ICMP traffic. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their industrial control system environments and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of network access control lists and the restriction of ICMP traffic to only trusted sources can provide additional defensive layers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input, and represents a typical attack pattern that could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service attacks, highlighting the importance of maintaining secure network configurations in industrial environments and the necessity of regular security updates for critical infrastructure components.