CVE-2025-40580 in SCALANCE LPE9403
Summary
by MITRE • 05/13/2025
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 (6GK5998-3GS00-2AC2) (All versions). Affected devices are vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow. This could allow a non-privileged local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device or to cause a denial of service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2025
The SCALANCE LPE9403 is a industrial network device manufactured by Siemens that operates within industrial automation and control systems environments. This particular device model represents part of Siemens comprehensive portfolio of industrial communication products designed for harsh industrial environments where reliability and security are paramount. The device serves as a critical component in industrial networks facilitating communication between various industrial devices and control systems. Given its role in industrial infrastructure, any security vulnerability within such devices can have significant operational and safety implications. The specific firmware version 6GK5998-3GS00-2AC2 identified in this vulnerability assessment indicates a particular release that contains the exploitable flaw.
The technical flaw present in this device stems from a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability within its firmware implementation. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program writes more data to a fixed-length buffer located on the stack than the buffer can accommodate, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten. The vulnerability specifically affects the device's handling of input data within its network processing routines, where insufficient bounds checking occurs during data reception or processing. This allows an attacker who has local access to the device to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program execution elements including return addresses and function pointers. The buffer overflow represents a classic software security weakness that can be exploited to gain unauthorized control over system execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it presents a comprehensive threat vector for both malicious actors and potential attackers within industrial control environments. A non-privileged local attacker who gains access to the device through legitimate means such as network connectivity or physical access can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This capability enables the attacker to potentially escalate privileges, install persistent backdoors, modify industrial control parameters, or corrupt critical operational data. The vulnerability also creates conditions for denial of service attacks that could disrupt industrial processes and potentially lead to safety hazards in critical infrastructure environments where such devices operate.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several established threat frameworks including the MITRE ATT&CK framework where this would be categorized under techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code within industrial control systems. From a CWE perspective, this represents a classic implementation flaw categorized under CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which is one of the most common and dangerous types of buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The industrial nature of the affected device means that this vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns targeting critical infrastructure, potentially leading to supply chain attacks or nation-state sponsored operations against industrial control systems. Organizations utilizing this device should consider implementing comprehensive network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Siemens to address the buffer overflow condition through proper bounds checking and memory management. Network administrators should implement strict access controls limiting physical and network access to the device to reduce the attack surface available to potential attackers. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities within industrial control system environments. The implementation of network monitoring solutions specifically designed for industrial environments can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should maintain comprehensive incident response procedures tailored for industrial control systems that account for both the technical aspects of the vulnerability and the operational impact on industrial processes.