CVE-2018-13800 in SIMATIC S7-1200
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU family version 4 (All versions < V4.2.3). The web interface could allow a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attack if an unsuspecting user is tricked into accessing a malicious link. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by a legitimate user, who must be authenticated to the web interface. A successful attack could allow an attacker to trigger actions via the web interface that the legitimate user is allowed to perform. This could allow the attacker to read or modify parts of the device configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-13800 affects the SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU family version 4, specifically all versions prior to V4.2.3, representing a significant security weakness in industrial control systems. This issue resides within the web interface component of the Siemens programmable logic controller family, which is widely deployed in industrial automation environments for process control and monitoring. The vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms that fail to validate the origin of web requests, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit user sessions and perform unauthorized operations. The affected devices operate in critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, energy, and water treatment facilities, where the integrity of control systems directly impacts operational safety and business continuity.
The technical flaw manifests as a Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability classified under CWE-352, which occurs when the web interface does not implement proper anti-CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms to verify that requests originate from legitimate sources. This weakness allows an attacker to craft malicious web requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, appear to come from a trusted source within the same browser session. The vulnerability requires user interaction because the attack vector relies on social engineering techniques to convince a legitimate user to click on a malicious link or visit a compromised website. The attacker does not need to authenticate directly to the system, as the existing authenticated session is leveraged to execute unauthorized actions, making the attack more stealthy and difficult to detect. The web interface authentication mechanism properly validates credentials but fails to enforce proper request origin verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromising industrial control systems. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to read sensitive device configuration data, modify control parameters, or alter operational settings that could disrupt production processes or create safety hazards. In industrial environments, such modifications might lead to equipment malfunctions, production downtime, or even physical safety risks if control parameters are tampered with. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the industrial control system, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access to critical infrastructure components. Organizations using affected SIMATIC S7-1200 devices face increased risk of targeted attacks that could escalate to more severe operational disruptions, particularly in environments where cybersecurity posture is not fully mature.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of a software vulnerability to gain access to systems. The attack scenario typically involves phishing campaigns or compromised websites that deliver malicious links to unsuspecting operators or maintenance personnel who are authenticated to the web interface. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including network segmentation, access controls, and regular security assessments to protect against such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining up-to-date firmware versions. Additionally, implementing user awareness training to recognize social engineering attempts and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual patterns of activity that might indicate successful CSRF attacks against their industrial control systems. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU family version 4.2.3 or later, which includes proper CSRF protection mechanisms and enhanced web interface security controls to prevent unauthorized operations.