CVE-2017-6871 in SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability was discovered in Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient for Android (All versions before V1.0.2.2) and SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient for Android Lite (All versions before V1.0.2.2). An attacker with physical access to an unlocked mobile device, that has the affected app running, could bypass the app's authentication mechanism under certain conditions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6871 represents a critical security flaw in Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient applications designed for android mobile devices. This vulnerability specifically affects both the standard version and the lite edition of the application, impacting all versions prior to V1.0.2.2. The flaw resides in the application's authentication mechanism, which when exploited can allow unauthorized access to industrial control systems through mobile devices. The security implications are particularly severe given the industrial control environment where these applications operate, making this vulnerability a significant concern for operational technology infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication checks within the mobile application's security framework. When an attacker gains physical access to an unlocked mobile device running the affected software, they can potentially bypass the application's built-in authentication mechanisms under specific conditions. This weakness in the authentication flow allows for unauthorized access to industrial control functions that should normally require proper authentication credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the application layer rather than network protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it exploits the trust relationship between the user and the mobile device. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authentication mechanisms under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6871 extends beyond simple data access concerns to potentially compromise entire industrial control systems. When an attacker can bypass authentication on a mobile device running WinCC Sm@rtClient, they gain access to critical industrial process controls that could enable them to manipulate production processes, alter system configurations, or even cause operational disruptions. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where mobile devices serve as interfaces to industrial control systems, creating a direct attack vector from physical access to operational technology networks. The risk is amplified by the fact that many industrial environments may not have robust physical security controls, making such device-based attacks more likely to succeed. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, though it operates through physical access rather than network-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6871 primarily focus on updating to the patched versions of the affected applications. Siemens released updates addressing this vulnerability in version V1.0.2.2 and later, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including device encryption, strong screen lock mechanisms, and physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to mobile devices. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential lateral movement if physical access is compromised. Regular security assessments of mobile device management policies and industrial control system interfaces are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure mobile application development practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of industrial control system interfaces.