CVE-2013-0678 in WinCC
Summary
by MITRE
Siemens WinCC before 7.2, as used in SIMATIC PCS7 before 8.0 SP1 and other products, does not properly represent WebNavigator credentials in a database, which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via a SQL query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0678 affects Siemens WinCC software versions prior to 7.2 and SIMATIC PCS7 versions before 8.0 SP1, representing a significant security flaw in industrial control systems that impacts operational technology environments. This issue stems from improper credential handling within the WebNavigator component, which serves as a web-based interface for monitoring and controlling industrial processes. The flaw exists in how the system stores and manages authentication credentials within its database architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the weakness through SQL injection techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the database representation of WebNavigator credentials, where authentication tokens and user access information are not properly sanitized or encoded before being stored in the backend database. This improper handling creates a condition where remote authenticated users can craft specific SQL queries that exploit the database structure to extract sensitive credential information. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak credential storage mechanisms and improper input validation, aligning with CWE-257 and CWE-79 issues that specifically address insecure storage of credentials and SQL injection vulnerabilities respectively.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to industrial environments that rely on Siemens WinCC and SIMATIC PCS7 systems for process control and monitoring. The ability for remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information through SQL queries undermines the fundamental security assumptions of these critical infrastructure systems. Attackers could potentially escalate their privileges within the industrial control environment, gain unauthorized access to process data, or manipulate system configurations that could lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of industrial process control systems.
The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how industrial control systems often lack proper security hardening measures, particularly in their database interaction components. Organizations using affected Siemens products face significant exposure as the flaw allows attackers to leverage legitimate user access to extract additional sensitive information from the database. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where system integrity is paramount, as it could enable attackers to gain deeper insights into operational procedures, system configurations, and potentially identify additional attack vectors within the industrial control network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0678 require immediate implementation of software updates to Siemens WinCC 7.2 and SIMATIC PCS7 8.0 SP1 or later versions where the credential handling has been properly addressed. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these systems, enforce strict access controls, and regularly audit database access logs for suspicious activity. The remediation process should include comprehensive security assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar credential storage vulnerabilities and ensure proper input validation and database sanitization procedures are implemented throughout the industrial automation infrastructure. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems and the necessity of regular security updates to protect critical infrastructure assets.