CVE-2018-13809 in CP 1604
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in CP 1604 (All versions < V2.8), CP 1616 (All versions < V2.8). The integrated web server of the affected CP devices could allow Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks if unsuspecting users are tricked into following a malicious link. User interaction is required for a successful exploitation. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this vulnerability was known.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
This vulnerability affects Siemens CP 1604 and CP 1616 industrial communication processors running firmware versions prior to V2.8, representing a significant security risk in industrial control systems. The flaw exists within the integrated web server component that provides remote management capabilities for these devices. These processors are commonly deployed in industrial environments for communication tasks between various automation systems and network infrastructure, making their security critical for overall operational integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web server's response handling mechanisms. When the affected devices process HTTP requests containing malicious script payloads in parameters or headers, the web server fails to properly sanitize or escape these inputs before rendering them in web responses. This allows an attacker to inject malicious javascript code that executes in the context of a victim's browser session when they visit a maliciously crafted URL. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a classic reflected cross-site scripting flaw where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web responses without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical web application risks as it targets industrial control equipment that often operates in critical infrastructure environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive configuration data, or manipulate device operations through session hijacking techniques. The requirement for user interaction through malicious link delivery means that social engineering becomes a critical attack vector, potentially targeting system administrators or operators who might unknowingly click on compromised links. Given that these devices typically lack robust security monitoring capabilities, detection of such attacks would be challenging and could go unnoticed for extended periods.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should immediately upgrade affected devices to firmware version V2.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and monitoring of web server logs for suspicious activity should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should be established to raise awareness about phishing attacks and suspicious links that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability in industrial environments.