CVE-2018-13810 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 configuration web server of the affected CP devices 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. A successful attack could allow an attacker to trigger actions via the web interface that the legitimate user is allowed to perform. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this vulnerability was known.
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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 weakness in industrial control systems that could compromise operational technology environments. The flaw resides within the integrated web server component that manages device configuration and administration interfaces, creating an attack vector that exploits the fundamental trust relationship between the web interface and legitimate users. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a Cross-Site Request Forgery weakness that allows attackers to manipulate the device through crafted web requests without requiring authentication credentials, as long as a victim user interacts with malicious content while authenticated to the device's web interface.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms within the web server's request processing. When a legitimate user accesses a malicious website or clicks on a compromised link, the attacker can craft requests that appear to originate from the authenticated user's session. This weakness operates under the principle that the web server does not verify the authenticity of requests beyond the user's session token, making it possible for attackers to perform administrative actions such as changing network configurations, modifying access controls, or altering communication parameters. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that the victim must be logged into the device's web interface when clicking on the malicious link, but this interaction requirement does not prevent successful exploitation in environments where users may browse untrusted websites or receive phishing emails.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt industrial processes, compromise network security, or gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. In industrial control environments, such vulnerabilities can lead to significant operational disruptions, as attackers could modify communication protocols, alter device settings, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. The lack of known public exploitation at the time of advisory publication does not diminish the severity, as the potential for automated exploitation tools to be developed exists given the straightforward nature of CSRF attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and represents a critical risk in the context of industrial cybersecurity where the integrity of control systems directly impacts operational safety and security.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating affected devices to firmware versions V2.8 or later, which contain the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while user education programs should emphasize the dangers of clicking suspicious links. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual configuration changes or unauthorized access attempts to these industrial devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions in industrial environments and highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of operational technology infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1212, which covers Exploitation for Credential Access, and T1071, which addresses Application Layer Protocol usage, as attackers may leverage these devices to establish persistent access or move laterally within industrial networks.