CVE-2020-25232 in LOGO! 8 BM
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2020
A vulnerability has been identified in LOGO! 8 BM (incl. SIPLUS variants) (All versions < V8.3). Due to the usage of an insecure random number generation function and a deprecated cryptographic function, an attacker could extract the key that is used when communicating with an affected device on port 8080/tcp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-25232 affects Siemens LOGO! 8 BM industrial control devices including SIPLUS variants, impacting all software versions prior to V8.3. This weakness stems from the implementation of insecure random number generation and deprecated cryptographic functions within the device's communication protocol. The affected devices operate on TCP port 8080, which serves as the primary interface for remote management and configuration activities. The insecure random number generation function compromises the entropy quality of cryptographic operations, making it susceptible to predictable sequences that can be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental security mechanisms protecting industrial control systems.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of weak pseudo-random number generators that fail to provide adequate cryptographic security. According to CWE-330, this vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient entropy in random number generation, where the system produces predictable outputs that can be reverse-engineered by attackers. Additionally, the deprecated cryptographic functions indicate the use of outdated algorithms that have known weaknesses and have been superseded by more secure alternatives. The combination of these two weaknesses creates a particularly dangerous scenario where an attacker can potentially reconstruct the encryption keys used for secure communications, effectively breaking the confidentiality and integrity protections of the device's network interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems that manage critical processes. The compromised communication channel on port 8080 could allow adversaries to manipulate device configurations, disrupt operations, or even gain full administrative control over the affected equipment. This represents a significant risk to industrial cybersecurity, particularly in environments where operational technology (OT) systems are not adequately isolated from corporate networks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in industrial control systems, potentially leading to supply chain attacks or lateral movement within industrial networks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 8.3 or later, which address both the random number generation and cryptographic function issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to port 8080, limiting exposure to trusted administrative networks only. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual communication patterns or unauthorized access attempts on the affected port. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify exploitation attempts targeting industrial control system vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of industrial environments should be conducted to identify similar insecure implementations of cryptographic functions across other OT devices in the infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices in industrial environments, as legacy systems often contain outdated cryptographic implementations that fail to meet modern security requirements.