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Siemens SIMATIC HMI Basic, SINUMERIK, and Ruggedcom APE GHOST Vulnerability

Act NowICS-CERT ICSA-15-064-01Dec 6, 2015
Summary

Improper input validation in Siemens SINUMERIK 808D, 828D, 840D sl CNC controllers and SIMATIC HMI Basic Panels 2nd Generation allows unauthenticated remote input that may cause denial-of-service conditions. The vulnerability exists across all tested versions of these products with no vendor patch available.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker could exploit improper input validation to crash the HMI interface or CNC control system, disrupting manufacturing operations and requiring manual restart of equipment.
Who's at risk
Manufacturing plants operating Siemens SINUMERIK CNC machine tools (808D, 828D, 840D sl models) and SIMATIC HMI Basic control panels should care about this issue. It affects the human-machine interface and machine control systems used in mills, lathes, and automated manufacturing equipment.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with network access to the HMI panel or SINUMERIK controller can send malformed input data that bypasses validation checks, causing the device to crash or enter an unstable state, halting machine tool operations.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to SIMATIC HMI Basic panel (port 80/443 or local network interface)
  • Network access to SINUMERIK 808D/828D/840D sl controller (Modbus/Profibus ports or engineering interface)
  • No authentication required to send malicious input
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityhigh EPSS score (86.7%)no patch availableaffects production equipment
Exploitability
High exploit probability (EPSS 86.7%)
Affected products (4)
4 EOL
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
SINUMERIK 808D: <=4.7≤ 4.7No fix (EOL)
SINUMERIK 828D: <=4.7≤ 4.7No fix (EOL)
SINUMERIK 840D sl: <=4.7≤ 4.7No fix (EOL)
SIMATIC HMI Basic Panels 2nd Generation: vers:all/*All versionsNo fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/4
Do now
0/2
HARDENINGRestrict network access to HMI panels and SINUMERIK controllers using firewall rules; only allow engineering workstations and PLCs to connect
HARDENINGIsolate affected SINUMERIK and HMI systems on a separate manufacturing network segment; prevent direct access from corporate or guest networks
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/2

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HARDENINGMonitor network traffic to these systems for unusual input patterns or connection attempts from unauthorized sources
WORKAROUNDImplement input validation and rate limiting at network perimeter (firewall/industrial switch level) if available
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
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