CVE-2020-15791 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC S7-300 CPU family, SIMATIC S7-400 CPU family, SIMATIC WinAC RTX (F) 2010, and SINUMERIK 840D sl by Siemens, allowing attackers to obtain valid PLC credentials.

Understanding CVE-2020-15791

What is CVE-2020-15791?

The vulnerability lies in the authentication protocol between a client and a PLC via port 102/tcp, inadequately protecting transmitted passwords.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15791

This flaw could enable attackers intercepting network traffic to acquire legitimate PLC credentials.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15791

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient protection of transmitted passwords during authentication between a client and a PLC via port 102/tcp.

Affected Systems and Versions

SIMATIC S7-300 CPU family (incl. related ET200 CPUs and SIPLUS variants) - All versions
SIMATIC S7-400 CPU family (incl. SIPLUS variants) - All versions
SIMATIC WinAC RTX (F) 2010 - All versions
SINUMERIK 840D sl - All versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by intercepting network traffic to obtain valid PLC credentials.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor network traffic for any unauthorized access or unusual patterns.
Implement strong encryption mechanisms for sensitive data transmission.
Regularly update and patch affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities.
Train employees on cybersecurity best practices and awareness.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Siemens to address this vulnerability.