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Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU Vulnerabilities

Monitor7.5ICS-CERT ICSA-16-040-02Nov 12, 2016
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU versions before 1.8.3 contain input validation vulnerabilities that allow a remote attacker to cause denial of service. The CPU can be crashed or made unresponsive by sending specially crafted network packets, disrupting control of connected equipment. Affected devices include the entire S7-1500 CPU family.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker with network access to the S7-1500 CPU could send specially crafted packets to stop the processor or degrade its availability, disrupting production at your plant. This is a denial-of-service vulnerability affecting the core logic controller.
Who's at risk
Water utilities, power plants, wastewater treatment facilities, and manufacturing operations using Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU controllers for critical process control (pump operation, flow control, pressure management, safety interlocks). Any facility where S7-1500 CPUs are networked or internet-connected.
How it could be exploited
An attacker on the network sends malformed Ethernet packets to the S7-1500 CPU's control port (typically Ethernet port, default ports 102 for S7 communication). The CPU lacks proper input validation and crashes or hangs when processing these packets, causing loss of control over connected equipment.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to the S7-1500 CPU (direct or routed through your network)
  • No credentials or authentication required
  • Knowledge of S7-1500 network addressing or ability to scan/discover the device
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityno patch availablehigh EPSS score (9.2%)
Exploitability
Moderate exploit probability (EPSS 9.2%)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU family: <1.8.3<1.8.3No fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/4
Do now
0/3
HARDENINGImplement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to the S7-1500 CPU. Only allow authorized engineering workstations and HMI systems to communicate with the CPU on port 102 and other S7 protocol ports.
HARDENINGMonitor network traffic to the S7-1500 CPU for unusual or malformed packets that may indicate exploitation attempts.
HARDENINGDisable or restrict remote access to the S7-1500 CPU if not required for operations.
Mitigations - no patch available
0/1
SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU family: <1.8.3 has reached End of Life. The vendor will not release a patch. Apply the following compensating controls:
HARDENINGImplement an industrial network intrusion detection system (IDS) to detect anomalous S7 protocol activity.
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
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