CVE-2020-10052 in SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager (All versions < V2.12). The affected application writes sensitive data, such as usernames and passwords in log files. A local attacker with access to the log files could use this information to launch further attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10052 affects SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager software versions prior to V2.12 from Siemens, representing a critical information exposure flaw that directly violates fundamental security principles. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive authentication data within the application's logging mechanism, creating an inherent weakness that can be exploited by adversaries with local system access. The flaw specifically manifests when the application writes authentication credentials and other sensitive information to log files without adequate sanitization or protection measures, effectively creating a goldmine of potential attack vectors for malicious actors who gain access to the system's file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's logging subsystem where it fails to properly filter or redact sensitive data during the logging process. According to CWE-532, this represents a clear instance of information exposure through improper logging practices, where the system inadvertently stores confidential information in accessible locations. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation vector because it requires only local access to the system to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical or administrative access might be compromised. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that log files are often stored in locations accessible to multiple system users or processes, creating additional exposure points beyond simple file system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for industrial control systems and asset tracking environments where SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager is deployed. The potential for credential compromise opens pathways for lateral movement within network segments, privilege escalation attacks, and unauthorized access to connected industrial systems. Attackers who gain access to these log files can immediately leverage the stolen credentials to authenticate to other systems, potentially escalating their access to critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified when considering that many industrial environments lack robust monitoring and detection capabilities for anomalous file access patterns that might indicate log file compromise.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager V2.12 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, system administrators should review and modify log file permissions to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive logging information, implementing the principle of least privilege. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as stolen credentials could be used to establish persistence or gain initial access to other systems. Organizations should also implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access or modification of log files, and establish regular security audits to identify any potential credential exposure incidents. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the blast radius of potential credential compromise, ensuring that even if one system is compromised, lateral movement to critical infrastructure remains restricted.