CVE-2013-6840 in COMOS
Summary
by MITRE
Siemens COMOS before 9.2.0.8.1, 10.0 before 10.0.3.1.40, and 10.1 before 10.1.0.0.2 allows local users to gain database privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6840 affects Siemens COMOS software versions prior to specific patches, representing a significant security weakness in industrial control systems. This issue manifests as a local privilege escalation vulnerability that enables attackers with local access to escalate their database privileges within the COMOS environment. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and privilege management mechanisms within the software's database layer, creating opportunities for unauthorized privilege elevation. The affected versions include COMOS 9.2.0.8.1 and earlier, 10.0.3.1.40 and earlier, and 10.1.0.0.2 and earlier, indicating this flaw persisted across multiple major releases of the software suite. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through various methods within the local system context, potentially including manipulation of database connection parameters, exploitation of weak authentication mechanisms, or manipulation of privilege-checking code paths.
The technical flaw in CVE-2013-6840 operates at the database privilege management level, where local users can exploit design weaknesses to gain elevated database access rights. This represents a critical weakness in the software's security architecture, as it allows attackers who already have local system access to bypass existing database security controls. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-269, which covers improper privileges allocation, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that could enable privilege escalation. The issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the principle of least privilege implementation within the Siemens COMOS platform, where database access controls are insufficiently enforced. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive operational data, modify database configurations, or potentially disrupt industrial processes that depend on the integrity of COMOS database operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6840 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it directly affects the security posture of industrial control systems that rely on Siemens COMOS for operational management. Organizations using affected software versions face potential exposure to data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and possible operational disruptions in critical infrastructure environments. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers typically need physical or network access to the system, but once achieved, the privilege escalation can lead to comprehensive database access. This poses significant risks in industrial environments where COMOS is used for process control, asset management, and operational data handling. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where local system access might be obtained through social engineering, insider threats, or compromised user credentials, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to critical operational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6840 should prioritize immediate software patching to the affected versions, specifically upgrading to COMOS 9.2.0.8.1, 10.0.3.1.40, or 10.1.0.0.2 respectively. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control measures, including regular privilege reviews, mandatory access controls, and enhanced monitoring of database access patterns. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1548.001 for abuse of privileges, indicating that defensive measures should include monitoring for anomalous privilege escalation activities. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit local access to systems running COMOS, reducing the attack surface for exploitation. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments targeting industrial control systems and implement security awareness training to prevent unauthorized local access. Additional defensive measures include database activity monitoring, implementation of intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits of industrial control environments to identify and remediate similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the operational technology infrastructure.