CVE-2018-11453 : Security Advisory and Response

A security issue has been discovered in SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) versions 10, 11, and 12, version 13 (prior to version 13 SP2 Update 2), version 14 (prior to version 14 SP1 Update 6), and version 15. The vulnerability stems from improper file permissions in the default installation of TIA Portal, potentially allowing an attacker with local file system access to introduce malicious files, leading to denial-of-service or local code execution.

Understanding CVE-2018-11453

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Siemens AG's SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) software versions.

What is CVE-2018-11453?

The CVE-2018-11453 vulnerability involves incorrect default permissions in the TIA Portal installation, enabling unauthorized file manipulation by local intruders.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11453

The security issue could result in denial-of-service attacks or the execution of malicious code on the local machine without requiring special privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11453

Siemens AG's SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) software versions are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of appropriate file permissions in the default TIA Portal installation, allowing local attackers to introduce specially crafted files.

Affected Systems and Versions

SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V10, V11, V12: All versions
SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V13: All versions < V13 SP2 Update 2
SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V14: All versions < V14 SP1 Update 6
SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V15: All versions < V15 Update 2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows an attacker with local file system access to insert specially crafted files that can disrupt TIA Portal startup or execute malicious code on the local machine.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-11453 vulnerability:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the recommended security patches provided by Siemens AG.
Regularly monitor and restrict access to the TIA Portal installation directory.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict file system access.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Siemens AG.
Ensure timely installation of updates to mitigate potential risks.