CVE-2019-10934 in TIA
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in TIA Portal V14 (All versions), TIA Portal V15 (All versions < V15.1 Upd 4), TIA Portal V16 (All versions). Changing the contents of a configuration file could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. The security vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with a valid account and limited access rights on the system. No user interaction is required. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this security vulnerability was known.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10934 represents a critical code execution flaw affecting Siemens TIA Portal software across multiple versions including V14 and V15 versions prior to Upd 4. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the configuration file handling mechanism, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability specifically impacts industrial automation and control systems environments where TIA Portal is used for programming and configuration of programmable logic controllers and other industrial devices. The flaw exists in the software's handling of configuration files that are typically modified during normal operational procedures, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where system integrity is paramount. According to CWE-20, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Improper Input Validation" which is a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to be processed without adequate sanitization or verification.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess a valid account with limited access rights on the target system, which represents a significant reduction in attack surface compared to vulnerabilities requiring physical access or elevated privileges. However, the impact is severe as the attacker can manipulate configuration files to inject malicious code that will execute with SYSTEM privileges, effectively granting complete control over the affected system. The attack vector does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically when the system processes the modified configuration file. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the vulnerability enables both code execution and privilege elevation within the target environment. The attack can be executed through legitimate system processes that handle configuration file updates, making detection more challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential disruption of industrial processes. In industrial control systems, where TIA Portal is commonly used for programming PLCs and other critical infrastructure components, this vulnerability could enable attackers to modify program logic, alter process parameters, or even cause physical damage to equipment. The vulnerability affects the software development environment rather than the runtime environment, which means that attackers could potentially compromise the integrity of the entire development pipeline, affecting multiple systems that rely on the same configuration files. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for environments where automated processes might trigger configuration file updates without human oversight, creating potential for unattended exploitation. Organizations using Siemens TIA Portal in critical infrastructure environments face significant risk as this vulnerability could be leveraged to establish persistent access points within their operational technology networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10934 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available updates, particularly for TIA Portal V15 Upd 4 and V16 releases. System administrators should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit who can modify configuration files within the TIA Portal environment. Network segmentation and monitoring of configuration file modifications should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced across all systems running TIA Portal, ensuring that users have only the minimum required permissions to perform their legitimate tasks. Additionally, organizations should implement file integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to configuration files and configuration management procedures that require change control processes for any configuration file modifications. Security awareness training for system administrators and developers should emphasize the importance of validating configuration file integrity and the potential consequences of unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and the need for robust input validation mechanisms in industrial control system software, as outlined in NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security.