CVE-2013-4943 in COMOS
Summary
by MITRE
The client application in Siemens COMOS before 9.1 Update 458, 9.2 before 9.2.0.6.37, and 10.0 before 10.0.3.0.19 allows local users to gain privileges and bypass intended database-operation restrictions by leveraging COMOS project access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4943 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Siemens COMOS software across multiple version ranges including 9.1 prior to Update 458, 9.2 prior to 9.2.0.6.37, and 10.0 prior to 10.0.3.0.19. This issue stems from insufficient access controls and improper privilege validation mechanisms within the client application component of the COMOS platform. The vulnerability specifically affects the database operation restrictions that are intended to prevent unauthorized access to critical project data and system functions.
The technical flaw manifests when local users exploit the COMOS project access mechanisms to bypass the established security boundaries that should restrict database operations. This occurs due to inadequate input validation and privilege checking routines within the client application that fail to properly verify user credentials and access permissions before executing database operations. The vulnerability essentially allows unauthorized local users to escalate their privileges and perform operations that should be restricted to authorized administrators or specific user roles. This weakness is particularly dangerous in industrial control environments where COMOS is commonly deployed for managing complex engineering projects and system configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it creates a pathway for potential system compromise and unauthorized data manipulation within industrial environments. Local attackers who can access the system may exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive project data, modification of critical engineering parameters, or disruption of industrial processes. The implications are particularly severe in environments where COMOS is used for managing critical infrastructure projects, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to compromise the integrity of engineering data and system configurations. This represents a significant concern for industrial cybersecurity as it undermines the fundamental security model of the application and could potentially lead to operational disruptions or safety incidents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for COMOS versions affected by this issue. Organizations should immediately upgrade to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, specifically versions 9.1 Update 458, 9.2.0.6.37, and 10.0.3.0.19 or later. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit local user access to critical systems can help reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and unusual database access patterns. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges and access controls, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing least-privilege principles and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in other components of their industrial control systems.