CVE-2022-28329 in SCALANCE W1788-1 M12
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2022
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE W1788-1 M12 (All versions < V3.0.0), SCALANCE W1788-2 EEC M12 (All versions < V3.0.0), SCALANCE W1788-2 M12 (All versions < V3.0.0), SCALANCE W1788-2IA M12 (All versions < V3.0.0). Affected devices do not properly handle malformed TCP packets received over the RemoteCapture feature. This could allow an attacker to lead to a denial of service condition which only affects the port used by the RemoteCapture feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-28329 affects Siemens SCALANCE W1788 series industrial network devices including the W1788-1 M12, W1788-2 EEC M12, W1788-2 M12, and W1788-2IA M12 models. These devices are part of Siemens' industrial automation and control systems portfolio, specifically designed for industrial Ethernet applications in harsh environments. The affected devices operate with firmware versions prior to V3.0.0, representing a significant security gap in industrial network infrastructure. The vulnerability resides within the RemoteCapture feature, which is typically used for network monitoring and packet analysis in industrial settings. This functionality is critical for maintaining network health and diagnosing communication issues in industrial control systems, making it a legitimate and essential feature that should not be compromised through denial of service attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when these industrial devices receive malformed TCP packets through the RemoteCapture functionality. This represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation vulnerability where the device fails to properly sanitize incoming network traffic before processing it. The RemoteCapture feature, as defined in the device's network management capabilities, should handle various types of network traffic for monitoring purposes, but the implementation lacks proper packet validation mechanisms. When malformed TCP packets are received, the device's processing logic does not adequately handle the unexpected data structures, leading to a system instability condition. The vulnerability specifically affects only the port utilized by the RemoteCapture feature, indicating a targeted rather than system-wide compromise, though this targeted nature makes it particularly dangerous for industrial control environments where network monitoring is crucial for operational continuity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it directly affects industrial control system reliability and operational integrity. In industrial environments, the RemoteCapture feature is often used for critical network diagnostics and monitoring, making the denial of service condition particularly damaging. When the targeted port becomes unavailable due to malformed packet processing, network administrators lose visibility into the device's communication patterns, potentially masking other security issues or preventing timely detection of network anomalies. This vulnerability creates a window of opportunity for attackers to disrupt industrial processes without necessarily gaining direct access to control functions, aligning with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under network infiltration and service disruption techniques. The impact is particularly concerning in critical infrastructure environments where industrial control systems require high availability and reliability.
The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-129 Input Validation, which specifically addresses issues where systems fail to properly validate input data, leading to processing errors and potential system instability. This weakness is compounded by the industrial nature of these devices, which often operate in environments with limited remote access capabilities and may require physical intervention for recovery. The attack surface is relatively constrained since the vulnerability only affects the RemoteCapture port, but this limited scope does not diminish its severity in industrial contexts. Network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability, while also monitoring for anomalous TCP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation approach requires firmware updates to version 3.0.0 or later, which should include proper input validation mechanisms for TCP packet processing and enhanced error handling for malformed network traffic. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns on the affected port, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.