CVE-2019-13942 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A security flaw has been discovered in various versions of the EN100 Ethernet module, including the DNP3, IEC 61850, IEC104, Modbus TCP, and PROFINET IO variants. Unauthorized individuals could exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability in the webserver, potentially leading to a Denial-of-Service situation. This CVE affects Siemens AG's EN100 Ethernet modules.

Understanding CVE-2019-13942

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Siemens AG's EN100 Ethernet modules, allowing unauthorized users to trigger a Denial-of-Service condition through a buffer overflow exploit.

What is CVE-2019-13942?

CVE-2019-13942 is a security vulnerability found in various versions of Siemens AG's EN100 Ethernet modules, enabling unauthorized access to cause a Denial-of-Service scenario.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13942

Unauthorized individuals could exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability in the webserver of affected EN100 Ethernet modules.
This exploitation could lead to a Denial-of-Service situation, requiring manual restarts of impacted devices under specific circumstances.
No public instances of this vulnerability being exploited have been reported as of the advisory release.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13942

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a buffer overflow issue in the webserver of Siemens AG's EN100 Ethernet modules, allowing unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

EN100 Ethernet module DNP3 variant: All versions
EN100 Ethernet module IEC 61850 variant: All versions < V4.37
EN100 Ethernet module IEC104 variant: All versions
EN100 Ethernet module Modbus TCP variant: All versions
EN100 Ethernet module PROFINET IO variant: All versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit the buffer overflow vulnerability by sending carefully crafted packets to the webserver.
This exploitation can trigger a Denial-of-Service condition, necessitating manual restarts of affected devices in specific situations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-13942 is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Siemens AG promptly.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network-connected devices.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
Educate staff on cybersecurity best practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Siemens AG.
Ensure all EN100 Ethernet modules are running the latest firmware versions for enhanced security.