Siemens SIMOTION SCOUT, SIMOTION SCOUT TIA, and SINAMICS STARTER

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 6.8 ATTENTION: Low Attack Complexity Vendor: Siemens Equipment: SIMOTION SCOUT, SIMOTION SCOUT TIA, SINAMICS STARTER Vulnerability: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
2. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to access arbitrary application files.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS Siemens reports that the following products are affected: SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.4: All versions SINAMICS STARTER V5.6: All versions SINAMICS STARTER V5.7: All versions SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.5: All versions SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.6: Versions prior to V5.6 SP1 HF7 SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.7: Versions prior to V5.7 SP1 HF1 SIMOTION SCOUT V5.4: All versions SIMOTION SCOUT V5.5: All versions SIMOTION SCOUT V5.6: Versions prior to V5.6 SP1 HF7 SIMOTION SCOUT V5.7: Versions prior to V5.7 SP1 HF1 SINAMICS STARTER V5.5: All versions 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW 3.2.1 IMPROPER RESTRICTION OF XML EXTERNAL ENTITY REFERENCE CWE-611 The affected application contains a XML External Entity Injection (XXE) vulnerability while parsing specially crafted XML files. This could allow an attacker to read arbitrary files in the system. CVE-2025-40584 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N). A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-40584. A base score of 6.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N). 3.3 BACKGROUND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany 3.4 RESEARCHER Michael Heinzl reported this vulnerability to Siemens.
4. MITIGATIONS Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk: Do not open untrusted XML files in affected applications SIMOTION SCOUT V5.4, SIMOTION SCOUT V5.5, SINAMICS STARTER V5.5, SINAMICS STARTER V5.6: Currently no fix is planned SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.4, SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.5, SINAMICS STARTER V5.7: Currently no fix is available SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.6, SIMOTION SCOUT V5.6: Update to V5.6 SP1 HF7 or later version SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.7, SIMOTION SCOUT V5.7: Update to V5.7 SP1 HF1 or later version 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-186293 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. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.
5. UPDATE HISTORY August 14, 2025: Initial Republication of Siemens SSA-186293