Siemens Desigo

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, please see Siemens’ ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global). View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CVSS v4 8.7 ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity Vendor: Siemens Equipment: Desigo Vulnerability: Missing Authentication for Critical Function
2. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries on the server database.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS Siemens reports that the following products are affected: Siemens Desigo CC: All versions 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW 3.2.1 MISSING AUTHENTICATION FOR CRITICAL FUNCTION CWE-306 The affected server application fails to authenticate specific client requests. Modification of the client binary could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries on the server database via the event port (default: 4998/tcp) For Desigo CC: If access from Installed Clients to Desigo CC server is only allowed within highly protected zones: Exploitation of this issue requires an attacker to get access to an Installed Client application in the “highly protected zone” (i.e. a physically separated private network), and bypass the hardening measures as described by Desigo CC Cybersecurity Guideline. CVE-2024-23815 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N). A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-23815. A base score of 8.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N). 3.3 BACKGROUND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Commercial Facilities, Critical Manufacturing COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany 3.4 RESEARCHER Siemens reported this vulnerability to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk: All affected products: Restrict access to the server’s event port (default: 4998/tcp) All affected products: On the Desigo CC server, disable the support for Installed Clients As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens’ operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals. Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-523418 in HTML and CSAF. CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as: Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet. Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks. When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are 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 cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies. CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets. Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies. Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents. CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks: Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages. Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams. Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks. No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
5. UPDATE HISTORY May 15, 2025: Initial Republication of Siemens SSA-523418