CVE-2017-12738 in SICAM RTUs SM-2556 COM Module
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Siemens SICAM RTUs SM-2556 COM Modules with the firmware variants ENOS00, ERAC00, ETA2, ETLS00, MODi00, and DNPi00. The integrated web server (port 80/tcp) of the affected devices could allow Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks if unsuspecting users are tricked into clicking on a malicious link.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12738 affects Siemens SICAM RTUs SM-2556 COM Modules running specific firmware versions including ENOS00, ERAC00, ETA2, ETLS00, MODi00, and DNPi00. These industrial control devices operate within critical infrastructure environments where security is paramount. The affected devices incorporate an integrated web server listening on port 80/tcp which serves as an entry point for remote attackers to exploit the identified weakness. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for operational technology environments where these devices are deployed in manufacturing plants, power generation facilities, and other industrial settings that require robust security controls to maintain operational integrity and prevent potential disruptions.
The technical flaw manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability within the web interface of these industrial devices. When users navigate to the web server interface and interact with maliciously crafted content, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the victim's browser context. This occurs because the web server fails to properly sanitize user input parameters before rendering them in web responses, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interface that administrators use to configure and monitor these industrial control modules, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where administrators frequently interact with these interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple web interface compromise as it can potentially enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or injecting malicious code that could manipulate the device's configuration. In industrial control environments, this capability could lead to unauthorized changes in device settings, disruption of industrial processes, or even facilitate more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only user interaction through a malicious link, making it relatively easy to exploit in targeted attacks against industrial personnel who may not be fully security-aware.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network traffic, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and ensuring that users receive proper security training to recognize and avoid suspicious links. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under web application attacks and credential access techniques. Device administrators should also consider implementing access controls to limit web interface access to authorized personnel only and regularly update firmware to address known vulnerabilities. The security community has identified similar vulnerabilities in industrial control systems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security assessments of operational technology environments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses that could compromise industrial processes and safety systems.