View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 7.5
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: AVEVA
• Equipment: PI Server
• Vulnerabilities: Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions, Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to crash the product being accessed or throttle the memory leading to a partial denial-of-service condition.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of AVEVA PI Server, are affected:

• PI Server: 2023
• PI Server: 2018 SP3 P05 and prior

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 IMPROPER CHECK OR HANDLING OF EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS CWE-703

AVEVA PI Server versions 2023 and 2018 SP3 P05 and prior contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated user to remotely crash the PI Message Subsystem of a PI Server, resulting in a denial-of-service condition.

CVE-2023-34348 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

3.2.2 MISSING RELEASE OF RESOURCE AFTER EFFECTIVE LIFETIME CWE-772

AVEVA PI Server versions 2023 and 2018 SP3 P05 and prior contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated user to cause the PI Message Subsystem of a PI Server to consume available memory resulting in throttled processing of new PI Data Archive events and a partial denial-of-service condition.

CVE-2023-31274 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 5.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).

3.3 BACKGROUND

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

3.4 RESEARCHER

AVEVA reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

All affected versions can be fixed by upgrading to AVEVA PI Server version 2023 Patch 1 or later. From OSI Soft Customer Portal, search for “PI Server” and select version “2023 Patch 1”.

For an alternative fix, AVEVA PI Server 2018 SP3 Patch 5 and prior can be fixed by deploying AVEVA PI Server version 2018 SP3 Patch 6 or later. From OSI Soft Customer Portal, search for “PI Server” and select version “2018 SP3 Patch 6”.

AVEVA recommends that organizations evaluate the impact of these vulnerabilities based on their operational environment, architecture, and product implementation. Users with the affected products should apply security updates as soon as possible.

AVEVA recommends the following defensive measures:

• Set the PI Message Subsystem to auto restart.
• Monitor the memory usage of the PI Message Subsystem.
• Limit network access to port 5450 to trusted workstations and software
• Confirm that only authorized users have access to write to the PI Server Message Log. This is done through configuration of the PIMSGSS entry within the Database Security plugin accessible through PI System Management Tools.

For more information on this vulnerability, including security updates, users should see security bulletin AVEVA-2024-001.

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.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• January 18, 2024: Initial Publication

Oracle released its Critical Patch Update Advisory for January 2024 to address vulnerabilities in multiple products. A cyber threat actor could exploit some of these vulnerabilities to take control of an affected system.

CISA encourages users and administrators to review Oracle’s January 2024 Critical Patch Update Advisory and apply the necessary updates.

Today, CISA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Environmental Protection Agency released a joint Incident Response Guide for the Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) Sector. The guide includes contributions from over 25 WWS Sector organizations spanning private industry, nonprofit, and government entities. This coordination enabled CISA, FBI, and EPA to develop a guide with meaningful value to WWS Sector organizations.

Specifically, the guide provides information about the federal support available at each stage of the cyber incident response (IR) lifecycle and aims to enhance WWS Sector cybersecurity by:

•     Establishing clear guidance for reporting cyber incidents;
•     Connecting utilities with available cybersecurity resources, services, and no-cost trainings;
•     Empowering utilities to build a strong cybersecurity baseline to improve cyber resilience and cyber hygiene; and
•     Encouraging utilities to integrate into their local cyber communities.

CISA, FBI, and EPA urge all WWS Sector and critical infrastructure organizations to review this guidance and incorporate it into their organizational cyber incident response planning. Organizations can visit CISA.gov/water for additional sector tools, information, and resources.

 

Drupal released a security advisory to address a vulnerability affecting multiple Drupal core versions. A cyber threat actor could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service condition.

CISA encourages users and administrators to review Drupal security advisory SA-CORE-2024-001 for more information and apply the necessary update.

Today, CISA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA), Known Indicators of Compromise Associated with Androxgh0st Malware, to disseminate known indicators of compromise (IOCs) and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) associated with threat actors deploying Androxgh0st malware.

Androxgh0st malware establishes a botnet for victim identification and exploitation in vulnerable networks, and targets files that contain confidential information, such as credentials, for various high profile applications. Threat actors deploying Androxgh0st malware have been observed exploiting specific vulnerabilities which could lead to remote code execution, including:

• CVE-2017-9841 (PHP Unit Command)
• CVE-2021-41773 (Apache HTTP Server versions), and
• CVE-2018-15133 (Laravel applications).

In response, CISA is adding these CVEs to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.

CISA and FBI encourage organizations to review and implement the mitigations found in the joint CSA to reduce the likelihood and impact of cybersecurity incidents caused by Androxgh0st malware. For more information, visit CISA’s Malware, Phishing, and Ransomware page.

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, please see Siemens’ ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global). 

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 9.8
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Siemens
• Equipment: SIMATIC CN 4100
• Vulnerabilities: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key, Improper Input Validation, Use of Default Credentials

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to remotely login as root or cause denial of service condition of the device.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following products of Siemens, are affected:

• SIMATIC CN 4100: Versions prior to V2.7

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 AUTHORIZATION BYPASS THROUGH USER-CONTROLLED KEY CWE-639

The “intermediate installation” system state of the affected application allows an attacker to add their own login credentials to the device. This allows an attacker to remotely login as root and take control of the device even after the affected device is fully set up.

CVE-2023-49251 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.2.2 IMPROPER INPUT VALIDATION CWE-20

The affected application allows IP configuration change without authentication to the device. This could allow an attacker to cause denial of service condition.

CVE-2023-49252 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.5 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

3.2.3 USE OF DEFAULT CREDENTIALS CWE-1392

The “intermediate installation” system state of the affected application uses default credential with admin privileges. An attacker could use the credentials to gain complete control of the affected device.

CVE-2023-49621 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

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:

• SIMATIC CN 4100: Update to V2.7 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-777015 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.

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

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• January 11, 2024: Initial Publication