CVE-2020-15786 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the security vulnerability in Siemens' HMI panels allowing unauthorized access. Learn about affected systems, exploitation risks, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC HMI Basic Panels 2nd Generation, SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels, SIMATIC HMI Mobile Panels, and SIMATIC HMI Unified Comfort Panels. These devices are affected by insufficient blocking of excessive authentication attempts, potentially enabling remote attackers to discover user passwords via brute-force attacks.
Understanding CVE-2020-15786
This CVE identifies a security flaw in Siemens' HMI panels that could lead to unauthorized access to the Sm@rt Server.
What is CVE-2020-15786?
The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit weak authentication mechanisms on affected Siemens HMI panels, compromising user passwords and gaining unauthorized access.
The Impact of CVE-2020-15786
The vulnerability poses a significant security risk as it could result in unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data stored on the Sm@rt Server.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-15786
Siemens' HMI panels are affected by a specific vulnerability that allows for unauthorized access.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw lies in the insufficient blocking of excessive authentication attempts, making it easier for attackers to perform brute-force attacks.
Affected Systems and Versions
- SIMATIC HMI Basic Panels 2nd Generation (incl. SIPLUS variants) - All versions < V16
- SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels (incl. SIPLUS variants) - All versions <= V16
- SIMATIC HMI Mobile Panels - All versions <= V16
- SIMATIC HMI Unified Comfort Panels - All versions <= V16
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by repeatedly attempting to authenticate, eventually discovering user passwords and gaining unauthorized access to the Sm@rt Server.
Mitigation and Prevention
Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-15786.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update affected devices to the latest firmware version provided by Siemens.
- Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication.
- Monitor and restrict network access to vulnerable HMI panels.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing on HMI panels.
- Educate users on cybersecurity best practices and the importance of strong passwords.
Patching and Updates
- Regularly check for security updates and patches released by Siemens to address this vulnerability.