CVE-2012-3031 in SIMATIC PCS7
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in WebNavigator in Siemens WinCC 7.0 SP3 and earlier, as used in SIMATIC PCS7 and other products, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) GET parameter, (2) POST parameter, or (3) Referer HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3031 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Siemens WinCC 7.0 SP3 and earlier versions of the WebNavigator component. This vulnerability affects Siemens SIMATIC PCS7 and other products that utilize this web-based interface for industrial control systems. The flaw exists in the web application layer that processes user input from various HTTP request methods, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit multiple entry points to inject malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the WebNavigator component. When processing GET parameters, POST parameters, or the Referer HTTP header, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. This lack of proper input sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before including it in web output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical web application security concerns due to the industrial control environment in which Siemens WinCC operates. Attackers who successfully exploit these XSS vulnerabilities could potentially manipulate the industrial user interface, redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or even execute arbitrary commands within the context of the web application. This poses significant risks to industrial process control systems where unauthorized access to the human-machine interface could lead to operational disruptions, data manipulation, or potential safety hazards. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where operators rely on the web interface for critical monitoring and control functions.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Siemens WinCC versions that address this vulnerability, as the vendor has released patches and updates to resolve the XSS issues. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level can help prevent malicious data from being processed. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions that can detect and prevent XSS attack patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment', highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage these flaws for further compromise within industrial environments.