CVE-2024-52051 in SIMATIC S7-PLCSIM
Summary
by MITRE • 12/10/2024
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC S7-PLCSIM V17 (All versions), SIMATIC S7-PLCSIM V18 (All versions), SIMATIC STEP 7 Safety V17 (All versions < V17 Update 9), SIMATIC STEP 7 Safety V18 (All versions), SIMATIC STEP 7 Safety V19 (All versions < V19 Update 4), SIMATIC STEP 7 V17 (All versions < V17 Update 9), SIMATIC STEP 7 V18 (All versions), SIMATIC STEP 7 V19 (All versions < V19 Update 4), SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V18 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V19 (All versions < V19 Update 4), SIMATIC WinCC Unified V17 (All versions < V17 Update 9), SIMATIC WinCC Unified V18 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC Unified V19 (All versions < V19 Update 4), SIMATIC WinCC V17 (All versions < V17 Update 9), SIMATIC WinCC V18 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC V19 (All versions < V19 Update 4), SIMOCODE ES V17 (All versions), SIMOCODE ES V18 (All versions), SIMOCODE ES V19 (All versions), SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.4 (All versions), SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.5 (All versions), SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.6 (All versions < V5.6 SP1 HF7), SINAMICS Startdrive V17 (All versions), SINAMICS Startdrive V18 (All versions), SINAMICS Startdrive V19 (All versions), SIRIUS Safety ES V17 (TIA Portal) (All versions), SIRIUS Safety ES V18 (TIA Portal) (All versions), SIRIUS Safety ES V19 (TIA Portal) (All versions), SIRIUS Soft Starter ES V17 (TIA Portal) (All versions), SIRIUS Soft Starter ES V18 (TIA Portal) (All versions), SIRIUS Soft Starter ES V19 (TIA Portal) (All versions), TIA Portal Cloud V17 (All versions), TIA Portal Cloud V18 (All versions), TIA Portal Cloud V19 (All versions < V5.2.1.1). The affected devices do not properly sanitize user-controllable input when parsing user settings. This could allow an attacker to locally execute arbitrary commands in the host operating system with the privileges of the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw affecting numerous Siemens industrial automation and control software products within the TIA Portal ecosystem. The issue stems from insufficient input validation during the parsing of user settings, creating a pathway for local attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. This represents a significant security weakness that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to critical industrial control systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of SIMATIC PLC simulation software, safety software, runtime environments, and various other industrial automation tools, indicating a widespread impact across Siemens' industrial software portfolio.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78, which specifically address command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate input parameters that are subsequently processed by the system's command execution mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue since it allows execution with the privileges of the user who initiated the application, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive system resources or escalate privileges further if the user has elevated permissions. The affected software components typically handle user configuration settings and system parameters, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it could potentially compromise the integrity of industrial control systems and disrupt critical manufacturing processes. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify system configurations, install malicious software, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. In industrial environments where these tools are used for process control and safety systems, such an exploitation could lead to significant operational disruptions, safety system compromises, or even physical damage to equipment. The vulnerability affects both development environments and runtime systems, meaning that both engineers and operators could potentially be impacted. Given the widespread adoption of Siemens TIA Portal products across various industrial sectors, the potential for cascading effects and broader operational impacts is considerable.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Siemens to address the input sanitization issues. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit the potential impact of local exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring of system access patterns can help detect unauthorized activities. Security assessments should be conducted to identify all affected systems within the industrial network infrastructure, particularly those running the vulnerable software versions. Additionally, regular security training for personnel working with these systems can help prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in industrial control systems and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns as part of their defensive measures. The affected software versions should be prioritized for immediate patching, with particular attention to safety-critical systems where the vulnerability could have the most severe operational consequences.