Siemens SIMATIC RF Manager ActiveX Buffer Overflow
Low RiskICS-CERT ICSA-13-014-01Oct 18, 2013
Summary
SIMATIC RF Manager is vulnerable to a buffer overflow in an ActiveX control. The vulnerability affects SIMATIC RF Manager 2008 (all versions) and SIMATIC RF Manager Basic (version 3.0 and earlier). An attacker could exploit this to execute arbitrary code on systems running the vulnerable software.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker with access to a system running the vulnerable ActiveX control could execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the engineering workstation and any connected RF infrastructure it manages, affecting wireless device configuration and communication.
Who's at risk
Manufacturing facilities and utilities using Siemens SIMATIC RF Manager for wireless device management should be concerned. This affects engineering workstations running SIMATIC RF Manager 2008 or SIMATIC RF Manager Basic v3.0 or earlier, particularly those managing industrial wireless networks for sensors, identification, or data collection.
How it could be exploited
An attacker could craft a malicious file or web page that triggers the buffer overflow in the ActiveX control when opened by a user on an engineering workstation. If the workstation has network connectivity to RF devices or the control system, the attacker could then issue commands to alter RF device configuration or wireless network parameters.
Prerequisites
- ActiveX control must be installed and enabled on the target engineering workstation
- User must open a malicious file or visit a malicious web page on the affected workstation
- The workstation must have network connectivity to SIMATIC RF infrastructure being managed
buffer overflow vulnerabilityActiveX control (typically requires user interaction)no patch availableaffects engineering workstationslow EPSS score but no compensating vendor fix
Exploitability
Moderate exploit probability (EPSS 2.1%)
Affected products (2)
2 EOL
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
SIMATIC RF Manager Basic: <=v3.0≤ v3.0No fix (EOL)
SIMATIC RF Manager 2008: vers:all/*All versionsNo fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/1WORKAROUNDDisable or restrict ActiveX controls in web browsers and applications on engineering workstations if not required for SIMATIC RF Manager operation
Mitigations - no patch available
0/4The following products have reached End of Life with no planned fix: SIMATIC RF Manager Basic: <=v3.0, SIMATIC RF Manager 2008: vers:all/*. Apply the following compensating controls:
HARDENINGIsolate engineering workstations running SIMATIC RF Manager from general network access; restrict to management network only
HARDENINGImplement network access controls to limit which systems can connect to SIMATIC RF Manager workstations
HARDENINGTrain operators and engineers to avoid opening untrusted files or visiting untrusted websites on engineering workstations
HARDENINGMonitor Siemens security updates for SIMATIC RF Manager or successor products that may address this vulnerability
CVEs (1)
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