CVE-2013-6926 in Ruggedcom Rugged Operating System
Summary
by MITRE
The integrated HTTPS server in Siemens RuggedCom ROS before 3.12.2 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended restrictions on administrative actions by leveraging access to a (1) guest or (2) operator account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6926 affects Siemens RuggedCom ROS versions prior to 3.12.2, specifically targeting the integrated HTTPS server component. This issue represents a significant authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security controls designed to protect administrative functions within industrial networking equipment. The vulnerability exists within the access control mechanisms of the embedded operating system, which is commonly deployed in ruggedized networking devices used in critical infrastructure environments.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of user privileges within the HTTPS server implementation. Attackers with legitimate credentials from guest or operator accounts can exploit this weakness to perform administrative actions that should be restricted to authorized administrators only. This privilege escalation occurs because the system fails to properly enforce role-based access controls when processing HTTPS requests, allowing lower-privileged users to execute commands that require elevated permissions. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authorization logic that governs administrative access through the web interface, creating a path for unauthorized privilege elevation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations relying on Siemens RuggedCom ROS devices, particularly in industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments. An authenticated attacker with guest or operator credentials could potentially compromise the entire device by executing administrative functions such as modifying network configurations, changing user accounts, accessing sensitive data, or disabling security features. This represents a serious threat to operational technology security, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized control over network infrastructure components that are typically protected by strict access controls. The vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access points within industrial networks, potentially leading to broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6926 should prioritize immediate deployment of Siemens RuggedCom ROS version 3.12.2 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the authorization bypass issue. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as network segmentation to limit access to these devices, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly audit user accounts and access permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual administrative activity patterns and unauthorized access attempts to network infrastructure devices, as these may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and restricting HTTPS server access to trusted administrative workstations only.