OTPulse

Siemens SIMATIC Energy Manager

Act NowCVSS 10ICS-CERT ICSA-22-104-11Apr 12, 2022
SiemensEnergy
Attack path
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

SIMATIC Energy Manager contains multiple vulnerabilities (CWE-732 improper permissions, CWE-427 uncontrolled search path, CWE-502 deserialization of untrusted data) that allow an attacker to gain remote code execution or local privilege escalation. The vulnerabilities affect SIMATIC Energy Manager Basic and PRO versions prior to 7.3 Update 1. Remote code execution is possible via port 4444/TCP without requiring authentication. Local privilege escalation can be exploited by attackers with local system access.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker with network access to port 4444/TCP could remotely execute code on SIMATIC Energy Manager, potentially gaining control over energy management functions, altering system configurations, or disrupting energy monitoring and billing operations. Local privilege escalation is also possible, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive energy data and system controls.
Who's at risk
Energy utilities and facilities managers using Siemens SIMATIC Energy Manager (Basic or PRO versions) should prioritize this advisory. Any organization monitoring and managing electrical energy consumption, billing, or grid operations through this software is affected. The vulnerability impacts both smaller implementations (Basic) and larger professional deployments (PRO).
How it could be exploited
An attacker on the network sends a crafted request to port 4444/TCP on SIMATIC Energy Manager without authentication. The vulnerability allows remote code execution, giving the attacker the ability to run arbitrary commands on the energy management server. Alternatively, if the attacker gains local access, they can escalate privileges to perform administrative actions.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to port 4444/TCP (remote exploit vector)
  • No authentication required for remote code execution
  • System running SIMATIC Energy Manager version prior to 7.3 Update 1
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexity attackhigh EPSS score (33.3%)affects critical energy infrastructureport 4444/TCP publicly associated with this service
Exploitability
Likely to be exploited — EPSS score 33.3%
Affected products (2)
2 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
SIMATIC Energy Manager Basic<V7.3 Update 17.3 Update 1
SIMATIC Energy Manager PRO<V7.3 Update 17.3 Update 1
Remediation & Mitigation
0/6
Do now
0/2
WORKAROUNDRestrict network access to port 4444/TCP to only trusted IP addresses and subnets
HARDENINGEnable encryption in SIMATIC Energy Manager configuration
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/2

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

SIMATIC Energy Manager Basic
HOTFIXUpdate SIMATIC Energy Manager Basic to version 7.3 Update 1 or later
SIMATIC Energy Manager PRO
HOTFIXUpdate SIMATIC Energy Manager PRO to version 7.3 Update 1 or later
Long-term hardening
0/2
HARDENINGPlace Energy Manager systems behind firewalls and isolate from business network
HARDENINGImplement network segmentation to prevent direct internet exposure of Energy Manager
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
API: /api/v1/advisories/200cacb4-34ef-45bd-b467-541953cded1f

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