CVE-2017-9941 in SiPass integrated
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability was discovered in Siemens SiPass integrated (All versions before V2.70) that could allow an attacker in a Man-in-the-Middle position between the SiPass integrated server and SiPass integrated clients to read or modify the network communication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9941 affects Siemens SiPass integrated access control systems, specifically versions prior to V2.70. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and confidentiality of network communications within physical security infrastructures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient cryptographic protection mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate and encrypt data transmission between the SiPass integrated server and its client devices, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors positioned within the network.
This weakness enables attackers to execute man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting and manipulating communication flows between the central server and distributed client components. The flaw allows unauthorized parties to eavesdrop on sensitive data exchanges, potentially gaining access to authentication credentials, access control policies, and other critical operational information. The vulnerability specifically impacts the cryptographic implementation used for network communication, making it susceptible to passive monitoring and active interference without requiring elevated privileges or specialized equipment beyond standard network reconnaissance capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the access control system. Attackers could potentially modify access permissions, grant unauthorized access to restricted areas, or disrupt normal system operations by altering communication between components. This poses significant risks to physical security infrastructure, as compromised network communication could lead to unauthorized entry into facilities, data breaches, and potential compromise of sensitive environments. The vulnerability affects the core communication protocols that ensure the integrity of access control decisions, undermining the fundamental security assumptions of the system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to SiPass integrated V2.70 or later versions, which contain corrected cryptographic implementations and enhanced authentication mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual communication patterns that might indicate active exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting through network interception. Additional protective measures include implementing network access controls, deploying intrusion detection systems, and establishing regular security assessments to verify proper cryptographic implementation and detect potential compromise indicators.