CVE-2017-12736 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security flaw has been discovered in Siemens AG devices including RUGGEDCOM ROS for RSL910 devices, RUGGEDCOM ROS for all other devices, SCALANCE XB-200/XC-200/XP-200/XR300-WG, and SCALANCE XR-500/XM-400. The vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to perform administrative actions without permission.

Understanding CVE-2017-12736

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Siemens AG devices that could lead to unauthorized administrative access.

What is CVE-2017-12736?

The vulnerability affects various Siemens AG devices due to a flaw in the Ruggedcom Discovery Protocol (RCDP), enabling unauthorized administrative actions on the network.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12736

The vulnerability could potentially allow unauthorized individuals on the adjacent network to perform administrative actions without proper authorization.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12736

Siemens AG devices are affected by this vulnerability due to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The Ruggedcom Discovery Protocol (RCDP) flaw allows unauthorized administrative access on the network.

Affected Systems and Versions

RUGGEDCOM ROS for RSL910 devices: All versions < ROS V5.0.1
RUGGEDCOM ROS for all other devices: All versions < ROS V4.3.4
SCALANCE XB-200/XC-200/XP-200/XR300-WG: All versions between V3.0 (inclusive) and V3.0.2 (exclusive)
SCALANCE XR-500/XM-400: All versions between V6.1 (inclusive) and V6.1.1 (exclusive)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals on the adjacent network to exploit the Ruggedcom Discovery Protocol (RCDP) under certain conditions, gaining unauthorized administrative access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2017-12736 vulnerability:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Siemens AG promptly.
Implement network segmentation to limit access to critical devices.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all devices and software.
Conduct security training for employees to recognize and report potential security threats.
Implement strong access control measures to restrict unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Siemens AG may release patches to address the vulnerability; ensure timely installation to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.