CVE-2015-1602 in SIMATIC STEP 7
Summary
by MITRE
Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) 12 and 13 before 13 SP1 Upd1 improperly stores password data within project files, which makes it easier for local users to determine cleartext (1) protection-level passwords or (2) web-server passwords by leveraging the ability to read these files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1602 affects Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) versions 12 and 13 prior to SP1 Update 1, representing a critical security flaw in industrial automation software that has significant implications for operational technology environments. This weakness stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within project files, creating a persistent exposure that undermines the security posture of industrial control systems. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure data storage, specifically manifesting as a failure to properly encrypt or obfuscate sensitive password information that should remain protected within the software ecosystem.
The technical flaw involves the storage mechanism of password data within project files, where cleartext credentials are written directly to disk without adequate protection measures. This design decision allows local users with access to project files to extract password information through simple file reading operations, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms that should protect sensitive credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts two critical credential types: protection-level passwords that secure project access and web-server passwords that control administrative interfaces. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) classifications, which emphasize the importance of protecting authentication data even within internal system boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating a significant risk for industrial environments where unauthorized access to automation systems can lead to operational disruption, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. Local users with access to project files can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to protected systems, potentially compromising entire industrial control networks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only local system access and basic file reading capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share development workstations or where file permissions are not properly enforced. This weakness creates a vector for privilege escalation attacks and can facilitate lateral movement within industrial networks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) through the exploitation of stored credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1602 should focus on immediate software updates to the patched versions of SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) 13 SP1 Upd1 or later releases, which address the insecure password storage mechanism. Organizations should implement strict access controls and file permission policies to limit local system access to project files, particularly in shared development environments. Network segmentation and monitoring of file access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for industrial automation personnel should emphasize the importance of secure credential handling and the risks associated with storing sensitive information in accessible file formats. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other potential credential storage weaknesses and implement proper encryption mechanisms for all sensitive data within project files, ensuring compliance with industrial security standards such as IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security.