CVE-2019-19276 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels 1st Generation (incl. SIPLUS variants) and SIMATIC HMI KTP Mobile Panels. Sending specially crafted packets to port 161/udp can crash the SNMP service on affected devices, requiring a manual reboot for service restoration.

Understanding CVE-2019-19276

This CVE involves a flaw in Siemens' SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels 1st Generation and SIMATIC HMI KTP Mobile Panels, potentially leading to a service disruption.

What is CVE-2019-19276?

The vulnerability in SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels 1st Generation and SIMATIC HMI KTP Mobile Panels allows attackers to crash the SNMP service by sending specific packets to port 161/udp.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19276

Exploiting this vulnerability can result in a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected devices, necessitating a manual reboot to restore service functionality.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19276

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability, categorized as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), affects SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels 1st Generation and SIMATIC HMI KTP Mobile Panels.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels 1st Generation (incl. SIPLUS variants)
Vendor: Siemens
Versions Affected: All versions < V16 Update 4
Product: SIMATIC HMI KTP Mobile Panels
Vendor: Siemens
Versions Affected: All versions < V16 Update 4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted packets to port 161/udp, causing a crash in the SNMP service of the impacted devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19276 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities targeting port 161/udp.
Implement firewall rules to restrict access to port 161/udp.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate weaknesses.
Educate users and administrators about safe network practices and potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Siemens may release patches or updates to address the vulnerability. Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly.