CVE-2023-29104 in SIMATIC Cloud Connect 7
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC Cloud Connect 7 CC712 (All versions >= V2.0 = V2.0 < V2.1). The filename in the upload feature of the web based management of the affected device is susceptible to a path traversal vulnerability. This could allow an authenticated privileged remote attacker to overwrite any file the Linux user `ccuser` has write access to, or to download any file the Linux user `ccuser` has read-only access to.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-29104 affects SIMATIC Cloud Connect 7 CC712 devices running firmware versions from V2.0 through but not including V2.1. This represents a critical path traversal flaw within the web-based management interface of industrial IoT equipment manufactured by Siemens. The issue stems from inadequate input validation in the file upload functionality, which fails to properly sanitize filenames before processing. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in industrial environments where operational technology systems handle critical infrastructure operations and where attackers may seek to disrupt production processes or gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with privileged access to exploit the path traversal flaw during file upload operations. When a user uploads a file through the web interface, the system does not adequately validate the filename parameter, enabling attackers to manipulate the file path through directory traversal sequences. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22 - Path Traversal, which is classified as a common software security weakness that occurs when an application allows untrusted input to reference files or directories outside of its intended scope. The vulnerability specifically targets the Linux user account `ccuser` which has limited but critical file system permissions, making the attack surface particularly concerning for industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it provides an attacker with the ability to overwrite critical system files or access sensitive configuration data that the `ccuser` account can read. This capability enables attackers to potentially compromise the integrity of the device's operating system, modify configuration parameters, or exfiltrate operational data that could be used for further attacks within the industrial network. The fact that this affects the web management interface means that attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability remotely, especially in environments where industrial devices are exposed to external networks or where network segmentation is inadequate. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 - Phishing for Information, as it enables both remote code execution capabilities and data exfiltration.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker with privileged access, which limits the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits but still represents a significant risk in industrial environments where credential management and access controls may not be sufficiently robust. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version V2.1 or higher, implementing network segmentation to isolate industrial devices from general network access, and conducting thorough access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have the necessary privileges to perform file upload operations. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file upload activities and potential path traversal attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices in industrial IoT devices and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of all web interfaces in operational technology systems to prevent similar issues from compromising critical infrastructure operations.