CVE-2015-1358 in WinCC
Summary
by MITRE
The remote-management module in the (1) Multi Panels, (2) Comfort Panels, and (3) RT Advanced functionality in Siemens SIMATIC WinCC (TIA Portal) before 13 SP1 does not properly encrypt credentials in transit, which makes it easier for remote attackers to determine cleartext credentials by sniffing the network and conducting a decryption attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1358 affects Siemens SIMATIC WinCC TIA Portal software versions prior to SP1, specifically impacting the remote management capabilities of Multi Panels, Comfort Panels, and RT Advanced functionality. This weakness resides within the communication protocols used for remote administration tasks, creating a significant security risk for industrial control systems. The flaw represents a critical failure in the software's cryptographic implementation, where sensitive authentication credentials are transmitted without adequate encryption protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient encryption mechanisms within the remote management module of Siemens WinCC software. When administrators access panels remotely for configuration and monitoring purposes, the system fails to properly encrypt authentication credentials during network transmission. This cryptographic weakness allows attackers to capture network traffic and potentially reconstruct cleartext credentials through network sniffing operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the communication channels used for remote panel management, making it particularly dangerous for industrial environments where such remote access is commonly employed for operational monitoring and control.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations utilizing Siemens industrial automation systems. Attackers capable of intercepting network traffic can exploit this weakness to obtain valid authentication credentials for remote panel access, potentially gaining unauthorized control over critical industrial processes. The attack vector requires only network sniffing capabilities and basic decryption techniques, making it accessible to threat actors with moderate technical skills. This risk is compounded in industrial environments where remote access is frequently used for maintenance, monitoring, and operational control of critical infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues in software implementations, specifically focusing on weaknesses in encryption algorithms and their application. From an adversarial methodology standpoint, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, involving credential harvesting through network sniffing and interception attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Siemens WinCC TIA Portal SP1 or later versions, implementing network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems, and deploying additional monitoring solutions to detect suspicious network traffic patterns. Network encryption protocols should be enforced through proper configuration of secure communication channels, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify potential exposure points in industrial control system architectures.