1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 6.5
  • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit
  • Vendor: Siemens
  • Equipment: SENTRON 3VA COM100/800, SENTRON 3VA DSP800, SENTRON PAC2200, SENTRON PAC3200T, SENTRON PAC3200, SENTRON PAC3220, SENTRON PAC4200
  • Vulnerabilities: Out-of-bounds Read, Out-of-bounds Write

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could cause a denial-of-service condition.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following products are affected:

  • SENTRON 3VA COM100/800: all versions 
  • SENTRON 3VA DSP800: all versions 
  • SENTRON PAC2200 (with CLP Approval): all versions
  • SENTRON PAC2200 (with MID Approval): all versions
  • SENTRON PAC2200 (without MID Approval): all versions
  • SENTRON PAC3200: all versions prior to v2.4.7 
  • SENTRON PAC3200T: all versions
  • SENTRON PAC3220: all versions prior to v3.2.0
  • SENTRON PAC4200: all versions prior to v2.3.0

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    OUT-OF-BOUNDS READ CWE-125

An attacker located in the same network could trigger a denial-of-service condition on the device by sending a specially crafted IP packet.

CVE-2020-13987 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

3.2.2    OUT-OF-BOUNDS WRITE CWE-787

An attacker located in the same network could trigger a denial-of-service condition on the device by sending a specially crafted IP packet.

CVE-2020-17437 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Daniel dos Santos, Stanislav Dashevskyi, Jos Wetzels, and Amine Amri of Forescout Research Labs reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens recommends users upgrade affected products if upgrades are available: 

  • SENTRON 3VA COM100/800: See general workarounds and recommendations below.
  • SENTRON 3VA DSP800: See general workarounds and recommendations below.
  • SENTRON PAC2200 (All variants): See general workarounds and recommendations below.
  • SENTRON PAC3200: Update to v2.4.7 or later version.
  • SENTRON PAC3200T: See general workarounds and recommendations below.
  • SENTRON PAC3220: Update to v3.2.0 or later version. Contact Siemens customer support to receive the latest firmware version. 
  • SENTRON PAC4200: Update to v2.3.0 or later version.

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce the risk:

  • For successful exploitation, an attacking system must be in the same Modbus TCP segment as a vulnerable device. Therefore, ensure only trusted systems are attached to that segment, and only trusted persons have access.

As a general security measure, Siemens strongly recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. In order to operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens’ operational guidelines for industrial security and following the recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found at: https://www.siemens.com/industrialsecurity
For more information on these vulnerabilities and associated software updates, please see Siemens security advisory SSA-541018

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Specifically, users should:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network.
  • When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on us-cert.cisa.gov. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage on us-cert.cisa.gov in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities.

Source:

https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-068-06