CVE-2019-6572 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A security flaw has been found in various versions of Siemens AG's SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels, SIMATIC HMI Comfort Outdoor Panels, SIMATIC HMI KTP Mobile Panels, SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Advanced, SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Professional, SIMATIC WinCC (TIA Portal), and SIMATIC HMI Classic Devices. The vulnerability allowed unauthorized access to SNMP read and write functions due to publicly known hardcoded community strings.

Understanding CVE-2019-6572

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in multiple Siemens AG products that could compromise system confidentiality and integrity.

What is CVE-2019-6572?

The vulnerability in various Siemens AG products enabled unauthorized access to SNMP read and write functions through hardcoded community strings, potentially leading to system compromise.

The Impact of CVE-2019-6572

Unauthorized access to SNMP functions could compromise system confidentiality and integrity.
Attackers could exploit the vulnerability without requiring system privileges or user interaction.
No known instances of public exploitation have been reported as of the advisory publication.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-6572

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The affected devices had publicly known hardcoded community strings, allowing unauthorized access to SNMP read and write functions.

Affected Systems and Versions

SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels 4" - 22" (All versions < V15.1 Update 1)
SIMATIC HMI Comfort Outdoor Panels 7" & 15" (All versions < V15.1 Update 1)
SIMATIC HMI KTP Mobile Panels KTP400F, KTP700, KTP700F, KTP900 und KTP900F (All versions < V15.1 Update 1)
SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Advanced (All versions < V15.1 Update 1)
SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Professional (All versions < V15.1 Update 1)
SIMATIC WinCC (TIA Portal) (All versions < V15.1 Update 1)
SIMATIC HMI Classic Devices (TP/MP/OP/MP Mobile Panel) (All versions)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker with network access to the affected device, requiring no system privileges or user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-6572 with the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly.
Restrict network access to vulnerable devices.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware.
Implement strong network security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest patches provided by Siemens AG.