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).

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 10.0
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Siemens
• Equipment: TeleControl Server
• Vulnerability: Deserialization of Untrusted Data

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of TeleControl Server are affected:

• PP TeleControl Server Basic 8 to 32 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AB1): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• PP TeleControl Server Basic 32 to 64 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AF1): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• PP TeleControl Server Basic 64 to 256 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AC1): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• PP TeleControl Server Basic 256 to 1000 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AD1): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• PP TeleControl Server Basic 1000 to 5000 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AE1): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic 8 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AA0): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic 32 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AF0): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic 64 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AB0): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic 256 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AC0): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic 1000 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AD0): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic 5000 V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0AE0): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic Serv Upgr (6NH9910-0AA31-0GA1): versions prior to V3.1.2.1
• TeleControl Server Basic Upgr V3.1 (6NH9910-0AA31-0GA0): versions prior to V3.1.2.1

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 DESERIALIZATION OF UNTRUSTED DATA CWE-502

The affected system allows remote users to send maliciously crafted objects. Due to insecure deserialization of user-supplied content by the affected software, an unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a maliciously crafted serialized object. This could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device with SYSTEM privileges.

CVE-2024-44102 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 10.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-44102. A base score of 10.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

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

3.4 RESEARCHER

Tenable reported these vulnerabilities to Siemens.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens recommends users of the affected products update to V3.1.2.1 or later versions.

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

• Disable redundancy, if not used
• Restrict access to the affected systems to trusted IP addresses only

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 on the Siemens industrial security webpage

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-454789 in HTML and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. 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.

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

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

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

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• November 14, 2024: Initial Publication