CVE-2014-5231 in SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient
Summary
by MITRE
The Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient app before 1.0.2 for iOS allows physically proximate attackers to extract the password from storage via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5231 affects the Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient application version 1.0.1 and earlier for iOS devices. This mobile application serves as a communication interface for industrial automation systems, enabling users to monitor and control processes through remote access capabilities. The flaw resides in the application's handling of authentication credentials, specifically concerning password storage and retrieval mechanisms. Attackers capable of achieving physical proximity to an iOS device running the vulnerable application can exploit this weakness to extract stored passwords through unspecified vectors that compromise the application's security model.
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in industrial control system interfaces where mobile applications serve as gateways to critical infrastructure operations. The unspecified vectors suggest potential weaknesses in the application's memory management, secure storage implementation, or process isolation mechanisms that allow an attacker to bypass normal authentication flows. The physical proximity requirement indicates that this vulnerability may be exploited through side-channel attacks or direct device access rather than network-based penetration techniques, making it particularly concerning for environments where mobile devices are used in industrial settings with potentially restricted physical access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems that rely on WinCC for process monitoring and management. According to the CWE catalog, this vulnerability likely relates to CWE-256, which addresses "Plaintext Storage of a Password" or CWE-312, concerning "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information." The implications for industrial security are significant, as compromised credentials could allow attackers to manipulate process controls, access sensitive operational data, or potentially cause operational disruptions in critical manufacturing or infrastructure environments. Organizations using Siemens SIMATIC WinCC systems face potential exposure to attacks that could compromise their industrial control networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the application to version 1.0.2 or later, which addresses the password storage mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement strict physical security controls for mobile devices containing industrial access credentials, including device encryption, secure lock mechanisms, and restricted access policies. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under credential access techniques, specifically related to "Credentials from Password Stores" and "OS Credential Dumping" tactics that attackers might employ to extract authentication information from compromised devices. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers should be implemented to reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments of mobile applications used in industrial environments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could compromise operational technology systems.