Siemens SIPROTEC 5

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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 7.0
  • ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
  • Vendor: Siemens
  • Equipment: SIPROTEC 5
  • Vulnerability: Active Debug Code

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to an affected device to execute arbitrary commands on the device.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Siemens reports that the following products are affected:

  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP100): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP100): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD84 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP300): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD89 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP100): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7ST86 (CP300): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SX85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VU85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MU85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP100): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP100): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SX82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 Compact 7SX800 (CP050): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP300): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP100): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VE85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SY82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UM85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP100): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP200): All versions
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90
  • Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 ACTIVE DEBUG CODE CWE-489

Affected devices do not properly limit access to a development shell accessible over a physical interface. This could allow an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the device to execute arbitrary commands on the device.

CVE-2024-53648 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-53648. A base score of 7.0 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:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

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

3.4 RESEARCHER

Steffen Robertz, Stefan Viehböck, and Constantin Schieber-Knöbl from SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab reported this vulnerability to Siemens.

4. MITIGATIONS

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

  • All affected products: Restrict physical access to authorized individuals only to limit exposure
  • SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP200): Currently no fix is planned
  • SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7ST86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP100): Currently no fix is available
  • SIPROTEC 5 Compact 7SX800 (CP050): Update to V9.90 or later version.
  • SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SX82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SY82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP150): Update to V9.90 or later version.
  • SIPROTEC 5 6MD84 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MD89 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MU85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SX85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UM85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7VE85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7VU85 (CP300): Update to V9.90 or later version.

Operators of critical power systems (e.g. TSOs or DSOs) worldwide are usually required by regulations to build resilience into the power grids by applying multi-level redundant secondary protection schemes. It is therefore recommended that the operators check whether appropriate resilient protection measures are in place. The risk of cyber incidents impacting the grid’s reliability can thus be minimized by virtue of the grid design. Siemens strongly recommends applying the provided security updates using the corresponding tooling and documented procedures made available with the product. If supported by the product, an automated means to apply the security updates across multiple product instances may be used. Siemens strongly recommends prior validation of any security update before being applied, and supervision by trained staff of the update process in the target environment. As a general security measure Siemens strongly recommends to protect network access with appropriate mechanisms (e.g. firewalls, segmentation, VPN). It is advised to configure the environment according to our operational guidelines in order to run the devices in a protected IT environment.

Siemens recommends following grid security guidelines.

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-687955 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. 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 this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

  • February 13, 2025: Initial Publication

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