CVE-2019-10940 in SINEMA Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability has been identified in SINEMA Server (All versions < V14.0 SP2 Update 1). Incorrect session validation could allow an attacker with a valid session, with low privileges, to perform firmware updates and other administrative operations on connected devices. The security vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with network access to the affected system. An attacker must have access to a low privileged account in order to exploit the vulnerability. An attacker could use the vulnerability to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system and underlying components. 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 described in CVE-2019-10940 represents a critical authorization flaw within Siemens SINEMA Server software versions prior to V14.0 SP2 Update 1. This issue stems from inadequate session validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify user privileges during administrative operations. The flaw specifically affects the server's ability to enforce proper access controls when firmware updates and other privileged administrative tasks are initiated, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the session management subsystem of SINEMA Server where authentication tokens are validated against insufficient privilege checks. When a user with low privileges maintains an active session, the system does not properly re-evaluate their authorization level before permitting administrative operations such as firmware updates. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that aligns with CWE-285, which categorizes improper authorization as a fundamental weakness in access control mechanisms. The flaw essentially allows an authenticated but unprivileged user to leverage their valid session to perform operations that should require elevated privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to industrial control systems and SCADA environments where SINEMA Server is deployed. An attacker who has gained access to any low-privilege account within the system can potentially compromise the entire infrastructure by updating firmware on connected devices. This creates a vector for disrupting operations, modifying system behavior, and potentially causing physical damage to industrial processes. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the foundational security controls of industrial communication servers, affecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only network access and a valid low-privilege account, making it accessible to attackers who have already achieved some level of system presence.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of the vendor-provided patch or update to SINEMA Server V14.0 SP2 Update 1, which addresses the session validation logic and strengthens privilege enforcement. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to SINEMA Server systems, enforce strict access controls, and monitor session activity for suspicious administrative operations. Additionally, regular security assessments and privilege reviews should be conducted to minimize the risk of unauthorized account compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in industrial environments and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, highlighting the need for robust session management and authorization controls in critical infrastructure systems.