CVE-2014-4682 in WinCC
Summary
by MITRE
The WebNavigator server in Siemens SIMATIC WinCC before 7.3, as used in PCS7 and other products, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4682 affects Siemens SIMATIC WinCC WebNavigator server components that are part of the broader PCS7 product suite and other industrial automation systems. This flaw resides within the web server implementation that handles HTTP requests, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited remotely without authentication. The affected systems operate in critical infrastructure environments where industrial control systems and supervisory control and data acquisition platforms are deployed, making this a significant security concern for operational technology networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of HTTP requests within the WebNavigator server component. When remote attackers send specially crafted HTTP requests to the affected server, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system information. This information disclosure occurs through the web interface that is designed to provide operational data and system status to authorized users, but due to the flaw, unauthenticated users can extract configuration details, system parameters, and potentially other sensitive data that should remain protected within industrial control environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used for subsequent attacks within industrial control networks. The extracted information may include system identifiers, configuration settings, user account details, or other operational parameters that could aid in planning more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where WinCC systems are connected to corporate networks or exposed to external internet access, creating pathways for threat actors to map industrial control system architectures and identify potential targets for further exploitation. The risk is amplified in environments where proper network segmentation and access controls are not implemented.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-supplied patches and updates for SIMATIC WinCC version 7.3 and later releases that address this vulnerability. Network-level protections should be implemented through firewalls and access control lists to restrict direct internet access to industrial control system components, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access web interfaces. Additionally, implementing network segmentation strategies that isolate industrial control systems from corporate networks reduces the attack surface and limits potential lateral movement if other vulnerabilities are discovered. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information disclosure, and represents a technique commonly used in the initial access phase of industrial control system attacks as documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for industrial control systems, specifically under techniques related to reconnaissance and credential access.