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Siemens RuggedCom Improper Ethernet Frame Padding Vulnerability

Monitor4.3ICS-CERT ICSA-15-300-01Jul 30, 2015
Attack VectorAdjacent
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Siemens RuggedCom ROS devices with firmware versions prior to 4.2.1 contain an improper Ethernet frame padding vulnerability (CWE-226). When frames are padded to meet minimum Ethernet frame size, the padding bytes are not properly cleared and may contain sensitive data from device memory. An attacker with network access to the same Ethernet segment could capture and analyze these frames to extract confidential information from control system communications.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker with network access to a RuggedCom device could read sensitive data from Ethernet frames due to improper padding that may expose information from memory. This could compromise confidentiality of control system communications.
Who's at risk
Industrial network infrastructure managers should be concerned, specifically those operating Siemens RuggedCom ROS devices in water treatment facilities, electric utilities, and other critical infrastructure. These devices are typically used as managed Ethernet switches and firewalls in control networks.
How it could be exploited
An attacker on the same network segment as a RuggedCom ROS device could capture Ethernet frames containing improperly padded data. By analyzing these frames, they could extract sensitive information that should have been erased during padding, gaining visibility into control communications or configuration data.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to the same Ethernet segment as the RuggedCom device
  • Ability to capture network traffic (attacker or passive network presence)
  • No credentials required
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityno patch availableinformation disclosure
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.2%)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
RuggedCom ROS: <4.2.1<4.2.1No fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/3
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HARDENINGMonitor Ethernet traffic to and from RuggedCom devices for signs of data exfiltration or unusual frame patterns
Mitigations - no patch available
0/2
RuggedCom ROS: <4.2.1 has reached End of Life. The vendor will not release a patch. Apply the following compensating controls:
HARDENINGImplement network segmentation to restrict Layer 2 access to RuggedCom devices; isolate control network from untrusted network segments
HARDENINGEvaluate alternatives to RuggedCom ROS given no patch is planned; develop replacement strategy for affected devices
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Siemens RuggedCom Improper Ethernet Frame Padding Vulnerability | CVSS 4.3 - OTPulse