CISA and EPA Release Joint Fact Sheet Detailing Risks Internet-Exposed HMIs Pose to WWS Sector

Today, CISA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Internet-Exposed HMIs Pose Cybersecurity Risks to Water and Wastewater Systems. This joint fact sheet provides Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) facilities with recommendations for limiting the exposure of Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and securing them against malicious cyber activity.

HMIs enable operational technology owners and operators to read supervisory control and data acquisition systems connected to programmable logic controllers. Threat actors can exploit exposed HMIs at WWS Sector utilities without cybersecurity controls, resulting in operational impacts and forcing victims to revert to manual operations (see Defending OT Operations Against Ongoing Pro-Russia Hacktivist Activity).

EPA and CISA strongly encourage WWS Sector organizations review and implement the mitigations in this fact sheet to harden remote access to HMIs. Visit our Water and Wastewater Systems page for additional resources to help protect the WWS Sector.

Siemens Solid Edge SE2024

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, see Siemens’ ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global).

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v4 7.3
  • ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
  • Vendor: Siemens
  • Equipment: Solid Edge SE2024
  • Vulnerabilities: Heap-based Buffer Overflow, Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound)

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Siemens Solid Edge SE2024 are affected:

  • Solid Edge SE2024: All versions prior to V224.0

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 HEAP-BASED BUFFER OVERFLOW CWE-122

The affected application is vulnerable to heap-based buffer overflow while parsing specially crafted ASM files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2024-54093 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-54093. A base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 HEAP-BASED BUFFER OVERFLOW CWE-122

The affected application is vulnerable to heap-based buffer overflow while parsing specially crafted PAR files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2024-54094 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-54094. A base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.3 INTEGER UNDERFLOW (WRAP OR WRAPAROUND) CWE-191

The affected application is vulnerable to integer underflow vulnerability which can be triggered while parsing specially crafted PAR files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2024-54095 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-54095. A base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Nafiez of Logix Advisor reported these vulnerabilities to Siemens.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

  • (CVE-2024-54093): Do not open untrusted ASM files in affected applications
  • (CVE-2024-54093, CVE-2024-54094): Update to V224.0 Update 5 or later version
  • (CVE-2024-54094, CVE-2024-54095): Do not open untrusted PAR files in affected applications
  • (CVE-2024-54095): Update to V224.0 Update 10 or later version

As a general security measure, Siemens strongly recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. In order to operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens’ operational guidelines for Industrial Security, and following the recommendations in the product manuals. Additional information on Industrial Security by Siemens can be found at https://www.siemens.com/industrialsecurity and on the Siemens industrial security webpage.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
  • When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

  • December 12, 2024: Initial Publication

Siemens COMOS

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, see Siemens’ ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global).

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v4 5.9
  • ATTENTION: Low Attack Complexity
  • Vendor: Siemens
  • Equipment: COMOS
  • Vulnerabilities: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to extract arbitrary application files.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Siemens reports that the following products are affected:

  • COMOS V10.4.0: All versions
  • COMOS V10.4.1: All versions
  • COMOS V10.4.2: All versions
  • COMOS V10.4.3: Versions prior to V10.4.3.0.47
  • COMOS V10.4.4: Versions prior to V10.4.4.2
  • COMOS V10.4.4.1: Versions prior to V10.4.4.1.21
  • COMOS V10.3: Versions prior to V10.3.3.5.8

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 IMPROPER RESTRICTION OF XML EXTERNAL ENTITY REFERENCE CWE-611

The Generic Data Mapper, the Engineering Adapter, and the Engineering Interface improperly handle XML External Entity (XXE) entries when parsing configuration and mapping files. This could allow an attacker to extract any file with a known location on the user’s system or accessible network folders by persuading a user to use a maliciously crafted configuration or mapping file in one of the affected components.

CVE-2024-49704 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.5 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-49704. A base score of 5.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 IMPROPER RESTRICTION OF XML EXTERNAL ENTITY REFERENCE CWE-611

The PDMS/E3D Engineering Interface improperly handles XML External Entity (XXE) entries when communicating with an external application. This could allow an attacker to extract any file with a known location on the user’s system or accessible network folders by injecting malicious data into the communication channel between the two systems.

CVE-2024-54005 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.1 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-54005. A base score of 5.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Siemens reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

  • COMOS V10.3: Update to V10.3.3.5.8 or later version. The patch is available upon request from customer support
  • COMOS V10.4.0, COMOS V10.4.1, COMOS V10.4.2: Currently no fix is planned
  • COMOS V10.4.3: Update to V10.4.3.0.47 or later version. The patch is available upon request from customer support
  • COMOS V10.4.4: Update to V10.4.4.2 or later version
  • COMOS V10.4.4.1: Update to V10.4.4.1.21 or later version
  • For CVE-2024-49704: Do not use untrusted configuration and mapping files. Ensure that only authorized users can modify the files by implementing appropriate security settings. Simply setting the “read-only” property is not a sufficient security measure.
  • For CVE-2024-54005: Make sure that only administrators have write-access to the configuration files, especially the network configuration. Simply setting the “read-only” property is not a sufficient security measure.

As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens’ operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-701627 in HTML and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
  • When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

  • December 12, 2024: Initial Publication

Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX II

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, see Siemens’ ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global).

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v4 8.6
  • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
  • Vendor: Siemens
  • Equipment: RUGGEDCOM ROX II
  • Vulnerability: Cross-Site Request Forgery

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to perform administrative actions if an authenticated user is tricked into accessing a malicious link.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Siemens that the following products are affected:

  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1500: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1512: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1501: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000RE: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1400: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX5000: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1536: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1524: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1510: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1511: All versions prior to V2.16.0
  • Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000: All versions prior to V2.16.0

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 CROSS-SITE REQUEST FORGERY (CSRF) CWE-352

The CLI feature in the web interface of affected devices is vulnerable to cross-site request forgery (CSRF). This could allow an attacker to read or modify the device configuration by tricking an authenticated legitimate user into accessing a malicious link.

CVE-2020-28398 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.8 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2020-28398. A base score of 8.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Siemens reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

  • All affected products: Only access links from trusted sources while authenticated in web interface of the affected devices
  • All affected products: Update to V2.16.0 or later version

As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens’ operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage.

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-384652 in HTML and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
  • When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

  • December 12, 2024: Initial Publication

Siemens Engineering Platforms

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, see Siemens’ ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global).

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v4 7.0
  • ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
  • Vendor: Siemens
  • Equipment: Siemens Engineering Platforms
  • Vulnerability: Improper Input Validation

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Siemens reports that the following products are affected:

  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 Safety V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 Safety V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC S7-PLCSIM V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMOCODE ES V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Unified V17: All versions
  • Siemens SINAMICS Startdrive V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 V17: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIRIUS Safety ES V17 (TIA Portal): All versions
  • Siemens TIA Portal Cloud V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIRIUS Safety ES V18 (TIA Portal): All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIRIUS Soft Starter ES V18 (TIA Portal): All versions
  • Siemens SIRIUS Safety ES V19 (TIA Portal): All versions
  • Siemens SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.4 SP3: All versions
  • Siemens SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.5 SP1: All versions
  • Siemens SINAMICS Startdrive V17: All versions
  • Siemens TIA Portal Cloud V17: All versions
  • Siemens SIMOCODE ES V17: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 Safety V17: All versions
  • Siemens SIRIUS Soft Starter ES V19 (TIA Portal): All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V18: All versions
  • Siemens SINAMICS Startdrive V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIRIUS Soft Starter ES V17 (TIA Portal): All versions
  • Siemens SIMOTION SCOUT TIA V5.6 SP1: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Unified V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC V17: All versions
  • Siemens TIA Portal Cloud V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 V18: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Unified V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIMOCODE ES V19: All versions
  • Siemens SIMATIC S7-PLCSIM V17: All versions

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 IMPROPER INPUT VALIDATION CWE-20

The affected devices do not properly sanitize user-controllable input when parsing user settings. This could allow an attacker to locally execute arbitrary commands in the host operating system with the privileges of the user.

CVE-2024-52051 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.3 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-52051. A base score of 7.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Siemens reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

  • All affected products: Currently no fix is available

As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens’ operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage.

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-392859 in HTML and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
  • When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

  • December 12, 2024: Initial Publication