CVE-2023-29107 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 export endpoint discloses some undocumented files. This could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to gain access to additional information resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-29107 affects SIMATIC Cloud Connect 7 CC712 devices running firmware versions greater than or equal to V2.0 but less than V2.1. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system resources through an improperly secured export endpoint. The affected system is part of Siemens' industrial IoT ecosystem designed for cloud connectivity and remote monitoring of industrial processes. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's file export functionality, which should normally be restricted to authorized users with proper authentication and authorization mechanisms in place. However, the implementation fails to adequately validate access controls, allowing any remote attacker to access files that should remain protected within the system's operational boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control implementation within the export endpoint functionality of the SIMATIC Cloud Connect device. This flaw falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, where the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks before allowing file access. The export endpoint appears to lack proper authentication validation and privilege checks, enabling unauthenticated remote attackers to traverse the file system and access undocumented files that contain potentially sensitive operational data, configuration parameters, or system information. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and access restriction enforcement, where the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting entity has legitimate rights to access the requested resources. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model of the device's file access controls, where the boundary between public and protected resources becomes porous.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed files could contain critical system information that could be leveraged for further attacks. An attacker gaining access to undocumented files might discover system configuration details, operational parameters, or even credentials that could enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no prior access or credentials are required to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where physical security might be limited. This vulnerability could potentially enable attackers to map the device's internal structure, identify system components, and gather intelligence for subsequent attacks. The exposure of undocumented files may also reveal implementation details or system architecture that could be used to develop more targeted exploitation methods. Organizations using these devices face risks including potential operational disruption, unauthorized access to industrial processes, and exposure of sensitive operational data that could impact overall system integrity and security posture.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate firmware updates from Siemens to address the access control implementation flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and restrict the export endpoint functionality to only authorized network segments. Additional monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual access patterns to the export endpoint, as this vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader reconnaissance campaign. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques, as attackers could use the information gathered to craft more targeted social engineering attacks or to plan more sophisticated exploitation strategies. Network administrators should also consider implementing firewall rules that restrict access to the specific export endpoint ports and services, while ensuring that the device's configuration follows security best practices as outlined in the IEC 62443 industrial security standards. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to determine if other devices in their industrial control systems share similar access control weaknesses and implement comprehensive access control policies across their entire industrial IoT ecosystem.