CVE-2018-13811 in SIMATIC Step 7
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) (All Versions < V15.1). Password hashes with insufficient computational effort could allow an attacker to access to a project file and reconstruct passwords. The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with local access to the project file. No user interaction is required to exploit the vulnerability. The vulnerability could allow the attacker to obtain certain passwords from the project. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this vulnerability was known.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13811 affects Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) software across all versions prior to V15.1, representing a critical security flaw in industrial automation and control systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the password hashing mechanism used within project files, where the computational effort required to generate password hashes is insufficient to provide adequate security protection. The weakness lies in the cryptographic implementation that fails to employ sufficient entropy or computational complexity to resist brute force or dictionary attacks, creating a significant risk for industrial control systems that rely on these security measures for access control.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient computational effort applied to password hashing operations within the TIA Portal project files, making the system susceptible to password recovery attacks. Attackers with local access to project files can exploit this vulnerability to reconstruct passwords without requiring any user interaction, which aligns with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under credential access techniques. The vulnerability operates at the application level where password protection mechanisms are implemented, specifically targeting the cryptographic functions used to secure project files. This weakness can be categorized under CWE-310 as "Cryptographic Issues" and more specifically under CWE-327 as "Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm," as the hashing algorithm fails to provide adequate security strength.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it represents a significant risk to industrial control systems and operational technology environments. When attackers successfully reconstruct passwords from project files, they gain unauthorized access to critical automation projects that may contain sensitive process control information, configuration data, and operational parameters. This access could enable attackers to modify control logic, disrupt industrial processes, or gain deeper access to connected systems within the industrial network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where TIA Portal is used for managing critical infrastructure, as it undermines the fundamental security model that relies on password protection for access control.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires only local access to project files, eliminating the need for network-based attacks or complex social engineering techniques. This accessibility makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where physical access controls are inadequate or where project files are stored on systems with weak access controls. The lack of user interaction requirements means that automated tools can be employed to systematically attempt password recovery, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing additional security measures such as file-level encryption, restricted access controls, and regular security assessments to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, while also ensuring that all systems are updated to V15.1 or later versions that address this specific cryptographic weakness.