CVE-2014-1696 in SIMATIC Wincc Open Architecture
Summary
by MITRE
Siemens SIMATIC WinCC OA before 3.12 P002 January uses a weak hash algorithm for passwords, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1696 affects Siemens SIMATIC WinCC OA versions prior to 3.12 P002 January, representing a critical security flaw in industrial control system software. This weakness stems from the implementation of a weak hash algorithm for password storage, which fundamentally undermines the authentication security model of the system. The affected software is widely deployed in industrial environments for monitoring and control operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the password hashing mechanism where Siemens implemented a weak cryptographic algorithm that fails to provide adequate protection against brute-force attacks. This weakness allows remote attackers to systematically guess passwords by exploiting the predictable nature of the hash function. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication process within the WinCC OA environment, which serves as a critical component for industrial process automation and supervisory control systems. The use of insufficiently strong hashing algorithms creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access that bypasses normal security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to industrial control systems that rely on SIMATIC WinCC OA for process management and monitoring. The ability to perform brute-force attacks against password hashes means that attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to critical industrial processes, leading to potential operational disruptions, data compromise, and even physical safety hazards. The remote nature of the attack vector eliminates the need for physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for environments where physical security measures may be limited. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of industrial control systems, which are fundamental requirements for operational technology security.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Siemens SIMATIC WinCC OA 3.12 P002 January or later versions that address the weak hashing implementation. System administrators should also enforce strong password policies, implement account lockout mechanisms, and consider additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication where possible. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication attempts that may indicate brute-force attack activity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-326 which addresses inadequate encryption strength, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1110.003 (Brute Force: Password Guessing) and T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Default Accounts) which describes the exploitation of weak authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to systems. The remediation approach should also include comprehensive security assessments of industrial control environments to identify similar weak cryptographic implementations across the operational technology infrastructure.