CVE-2015-5698 in SIMATIC S7-1200
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the web server on Siemens SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU devices with firmware before 4.1.3 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of unspecified victims via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The CVE-2015-5698 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the web server component of Siemens SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU devices. This vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 4.1.3 and exposes industrial control systems to remote exploitation by malicious actors who can manipulate authentication sessions without proper authorization. The affected devices operate within critical infrastructure environments where unauthorized access could lead to significant operational disruptions and security breaches.
This CSRF vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the web server implementation that fails to properly authenticate and verify the origin of incoming requests. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the device's web interface, enabling them to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it compromises the fundamental authentication mechanisms that protect industrial control systems from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability in industrial environments cannot be understated, as it directly threatens the integrity and availability of critical manufacturing and process control systems. Attackers could potentially modify device configurations, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt production processes through unauthorized administrative actions. The unspecified nature of the victim authentication vectors suggests that this vulnerability may affect various user roles and access levels within the device's web interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple operators and administrators interact with the system.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under the T1078 credential access sub-technique, where adversaries leverage web application flaws to assume legitimate user identities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the industrial network, making it particularly concerning for air-gapped or isolated industrial environments where traditional network security controls may be insufficient.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including firmware updates to version 4.1.3 or later, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of web server traffic for suspicious activity. Additional protective measures should include disabling unnecessary web services, implementing robust access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control system components. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware in industrial environments where cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and target operational technology infrastructure.