CVE-2018-13805 in SIMATIC ET
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC ET 200SP Open Controller (All versions >= V2.0), SIMATIC S7-1500 Software Controller (All versions >= V2.0 and < V2.5), SIMATIC S7-1500 incl. F (All versions >= V2.0 and < V2.5). An attacker can cause a denial-of-service condition on the network stack by sending a large number of specially crafted packets to the PLC. The PLC will lose its ability to communicate over the network. This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with network access to the affected systems. Successful exploitation requires no privileges and no user interaction. An attacker could use this vulnerability to compromise availability of the network connectivity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
This vulnerability affects Siemens industrial control systems including SIMATIC ET 200SP Open Controller, SIMATIC S7-1500 Software Controller, and SIMATIC S7-1500 with F modules. The flaw resides in the network stack implementation of these programmable logic controllers, making them susceptible to denial-of-service attacks through network packet manipulation. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow or resource exhaustion issue within the network processing components that handle incoming communication requests from the industrial network.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves sending a large volume of specially crafted network packets to the affected PLC devices. These packets are designed to exploit weaknesses in the network stack's packet processing logic, causing the device to consume excessive system resources or enter an invalid state. The attack requires no authentication credentials or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where network access may be difficult to control. This characteristic aligns with CWE-129, which addresses issues related to improper handling of input validation, and represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack pattern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network disruption, as it directly compromises the availability of critical industrial communication channels. In industrial control systems, network connectivity is essential for maintaining process control, data acquisition, and system monitoring functions. When a PLC loses network communication capabilities, it can lead to complete operational shutdowns of production processes, potentially resulting in significant financial losses, safety hazards, and operational downtime. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1498, which involves network denial-of-service attacks targeting industrial control systems. Organizations relying on these controllers face the risk of extended downtime, reduced operational efficiency, and potential safety risks in environments where continuous operation is critical.
Mitigation strategies should focus on network segmentation and access control to limit unauthorized network access to these devices. Implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual packet patterns or traffic spikes can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Regular firmware updates from Siemens should be applied promptly to address the underlying vulnerability, as the company has released patches for affected versions. Network administrators should consider implementing rate limiting or packet filtering rules to prevent the specific packet patterns that trigger the vulnerability, while maintaining necessary operational communications. Additionally, industrial network security solutions should be deployed to monitor and protect these critical assets from external threats. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining secure industrial network architectures and demonstrates the critical need for robust network access controls in industrial environments where availability is paramount for operational safety and business continuity.