CVE-2020-10048 in SIMATIC PCS 7
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC (All versions < V7.5 SP2). Due to an insecure password verification process, an attacker could bypass the password protection set on protected files, thus being granted access to the protected content, circumventing authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2021
This vulnerability affects Siemens industrial automation software including SIMATIC PCS 7 and SIMATIC WinCC versions prior to V7.5 SP2, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the security of industrial control systems. The weakness stems from an insecure password verification process that fails to properly validate user credentials, allowing unauthorized access to protected files and content. This issue directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of industrial process control data, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate critical system configurations and operational parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flawed authentication mechanism where the system does not adequately verify password inputs during file access attempts. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific password inputs that bypass the normal verification process, effectively gaining unauthorized access to protected resources without proper authorization. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and can be classified as CWE-287, which addresses authentication failures that allow unauthorized access to resources. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway through the system's security controls, enabling privilege escalation and unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it compromises the fundamental security posture of industrial control systems that are critical to manufacturing and process automation environments. Attackers could potentially modify configuration files, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt industrial processes through this authentication bypass. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial settings where system integrity and operational continuity are paramount, as it could enable adversaries to cause significant operational disruptions or even safety hazards. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and exploitation of authentication mechanisms.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches and updates from Siemens, which address the password verification implementation. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and implement additional access controls such as network segmentation and monitoring. Regular security audits should be performed to ensure proper authentication mechanisms are in place and functioning correctly. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening password policies, implementing multi-factor authentication where possible, and establishing robust monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access controls to limit exposure of critical industrial systems and ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive operational data and configuration files.