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 8.6
- ATTENTION: Low Attack Complexity
- Vendor: Siemens
- Equipment: RUGGEDCOM ROX II family
- Vulnerability: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a local attacker to bypass authentication and access a root shell on the device.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Siemens reports that the following products are affected:
- RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1536: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX5000: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000RE: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1400: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1500: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1501: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1510: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1511: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1512: All versions
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1524: All versions
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 AUTHENTICATION BYPASS USING AN ALTERNATE PATH OR CHANNEL CWE-288
Affected devices do not properly limit access through its Built-In-Self-Test (BIST) mode. This could allow an attacker with physical access to the serial interface to bypass authentication and get access to a root shell on the device.
CVE-2025-40761 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-40761. A base score of 8.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/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
Siemens reported this vulnerability to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:
- Currently no fix is available
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1400: Ensure a secure boot password is set as described in the configuration manual to prevent unauthorized access to BIST mode. SeeSec. 5.9.3 for more details
- RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1500, RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1501, RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1510, RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1511, RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1512, RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1524, RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1536: Ensure a secure boot password is set as described in the configuration manual to prevent unauthorized access to BIST mode. See Sec. 5.9.3 for more details
- RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000, RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000RE, RUGGEDCOM ROX RX5000: Ensure a secure boot password is set as described in the configuration manual to prevent unauthorized access to BIST mode. See Sec. 5.9.3 for more details
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-094954 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:
- 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. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- August 14, 2025: Initial Republication of Siemens SSA-094954
