Siemens SCALANCE W1750D, M800, S615, and RUGGEDCOM RM1224 (Update C)
Act Now8.1ICS-CERT ICSA-17-332-01Nov 17, 2017
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityHigh
User InteractionNone needed
Summary
Multiple Siemens industrial networking devices contain buffer overflow and integer underflow vulnerabilities in DNS proxy functionality. Affected products are SCALANCE W1750D wireless controller, SCALANCE M-800 and S615 industrial Ethernet switches, and RUGGEDCOM RM1224 wireless access point. The vulnerabilities exist in versions prior to v5.0 (M800/S615/RM1224) and v6.5.1.5 (W1750D). Remote attackers can send crafted DNS packets to port 53/UDP to trigger the vulnerabilities, potentially leading to code execution, authentication bypass, or denial of service.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker with network access could exploit DNS proxy functionality to bypass authentication, execute code, or cause a denial of service on industrial switches and wireless controllers. This could interrupt communications between PLCs and remote sites, disrupt remote monitoring, or enable lateral movement within the control network.
Who's at risk
Water and utility operators using Siemens SCALANCE W1750D wireless controllers, SCALANCE M-800 or S615 industrial Ethernet switches, or RUGGEDCOM RM1224 wireless access points should prioritize patching. These devices are commonly deployed for remote site connectivity, SCADA communications, and field device management in power distribution, water treatment, and pipeline systems.
How it could be exploited
An attacker sends specially crafted packets to the DNS proxy service listening on port 53/UDP. The device fails to properly validate input, allowing the attacker to trigger a buffer overflow or integer underflow condition. This could lead to code execution on the device, allowing the attacker to modify network routing, intercept traffic, or shut down the device.
Prerequisites
- Network access to affected device on port 53/UDP
- Device running vulnerable firmware version (before 5.0 for M800/S615/RM1224, before 6.5.1.5 for W1750D)
- DNS proxy functionality enabled on the device
Remotely exploitableHigh EPSS score (79.3%)Low attack complexityAffects multiple critical industrial protocols (DNS, potential lateral movement vector)No authentication required for exploitation
Exploitability
High exploit probability (EPSS 79.3%)
Affected products (3)
3 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
RUGGEDCOM RM1224: All<V5.05.0
SCALANCE M-800 / S615: All<V5.05.0
SCALANCE W1750D: All<V6.5.1.56.5.1.5
Remediation & Mitigation
0/7
Do now
0/2WORKAROUNDIf unable to patch immediately, disable DNS proxy on SCALANCE M800/S615 in device configuration (System > DNS > DNS Proxy > uncheck Enable DNS Proxy) and configure internal devices to use alternative DNS server
WORKAROUNDFor SCALANCE W1750D, if OpenDNS, Captive Portal, or URL redirection features are not in use, configure device firewall rules to block inbound access on port 53/UDP
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/3Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
HOTFIXUpdate SCALANCE W1750D to firmware v6.5.1.5-4.3.1.8 or later
HOTFIXUpdate SCALANCE M800 and S615 to firmware v5.0 or later
HOTFIXUpdate RUGGEDCOM RM1224 to firmware v5.0 or later
Long-term hardening
0/2HARDENINGSegment industrial network from business network with firewall; do not expose control system devices directly to the Internet
HARDENINGImplement network access controls to restrict which internal devices can reach management interfaces of switches and wireless controllers
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