CVE-2016-3963 in SCALANCE
Summary
by MITRE
Siemens SCALANCE S613 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (web-server outage) via traffic to TCP port 443.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The Siemens SCALANCE S613 is a industrial network switch designed for harsh environments in industrial automation and control systems. This device operates as a web-based management platform accessible through its built-in web server interface, which typically listens on standard ports including TCP port 443 for HTTPS communications. The vulnerability exists within the web server implementation of this industrial switch, where insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms allow malicious actors to craft specially formatted network traffic that can trigger unexpected behavior in the device's web server process. When exploited, this flaw enables remote attackers to send crafted packets to the device's TCP port 443, causing the web server component to crash or become unresponsive, thereby resulting in a denial of service condition that effectively removes the device from operational availability. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as industrial control systems rely heavily on consistent network infrastructure for maintaining operational continuity. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a significant concern for industrial environments where network availability is critical for operational safety and process control. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the device over the network. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for industrial facilities that depend on SCALANCE S613 switches for network segmentation and management, potentially leading to cascading failures in connected systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004, which deals with Network Denial of Service, and T1595.001, which addresses network scanning techniques that could be used to identify vulnerable devices. Organizations operating these switches should implement network segmentation to limit access to critical industrial equipment, deploy network monitoring tools to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and apply vendor-provided security updates immediately upon release. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing industrial network infrastructure, as even seemingly minor flaws in web server implementations can have major operational consequences in critical infrastructure environments. This issue highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of industrial network equipment and proper network architecture design that minimizes attack surface exposure for critical control systems.