CVE-2018-4847 in SIMATIC WinCC OA Operator iOS App
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC WinCC OA Operator iOS App (All versions). Insufficient protection of sensitive information (e.g. session key for accessing server) in Siemens WinCC OA Operator iOS app could allow an attacker with physical access to the mobile device to read unencrypted data from the app's directory. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this security vulnerability was known. Siemens provides mitigations to resolve the security issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4847 affects the SIMATIC WinCC OA Operator iOS App, a critical component in industrial automation environments that enables operators to monitor and control processes through mobile devices. This security flaw represents a significant risk to industrial control systems as it exposes sensitive authentication data through inadequate data protection mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the app's handling of session keys and other cryptographic materials necessary for server authentication, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to industrial control systems through mobile device compromise.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient protection of sensitive information within the iOS application's data storage architecture. When the SIMATIC WinCC OA Operator app stores session keys or other authentication tokens, it fails to implement proper encryption mechanisms for data at rest within the application's directory structure. This weakness allows an attacker with physical access to exploit the device through direct file system access or memory dumping techniques to extract unencrypted sensitive data. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to utilize iOS security best practices for protecting cryptographic material and authentication tokens, creating a persistent exposure that remains active even when the application is not actively in use.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of industrial control environments. An attacker who gains physical access to a mobile device running the vulnerable app can potentially establish unauthorized access to industrial control systems, bypassing traditional network-based security controls. This represents a particularly dangerous scenario in industrial settings where physical security controls may be less stringent than network security measures, allowing attackers to exploit the gap between device-level and network-level protections. The vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to escalate their access to critical industrial processes and infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing Siemens WinCC OA Operator iOS applications must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, as the security implications extend beyond simple data exposure to potential operational disruption and safety risks. The recommended approach involves updating to patched versions of the software that implement proper encryption of sensitive data within the application's storage mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that enforce encryption policies and restrict unauthorized access to mobile devices containing industrial control applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a direct violation of security controls outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for information security management. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving credential access through direct memory manipulation and file system access, highlighting the importance of comprehensive mobile security controls in industrial environments where physical access can translate to operational compromise.