OTPulse

Siemens RUGGEDCOM APE1808

Act NowCVSS 10ICS-CERT ICSA-24-338-02Nov 22, 2024
SiemensManufacturing
Attack path
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Multiple critical vulnerabilities exist in Siemens RUGGEDCOM APE1808 (all versions) that expose the device to unauthenticated remote code execution. The vulnerabilities include command injection (CWE-78), path traversal (CWE-22), and missing authentication controls (CWE-306) that allow an attacker on the network to execute arbitrary commands on the device without credentials. The device is a ruggedized industrial network appliance used for switching, routing, and traffic management in manufacturing and utility environments. Siemens has not planned to release a patch for this product and is recommending network segmentation and access controls as mitigations.

What this means
What could happen
An unauthenticated attacker with network access to the RUGGEDCOM APE1808 management interface could execute arbitrary code on the device, potentially allowing them to alter network traffic, intercept communications, or disrupt routing and failover operations in your industrial network.
Who's at risk
This affects any organization using a Siemens RUGGEDCOM APE1808 industrial network appliance. The APE1808 is a ruggedized Ethernet switch with security and routing capabilities commonly deployed in manufacturing plants, utilities, and critical infrastructure to manage network traffic and provide failover between IT and OT segments. All versions are vulnerable.
How it could be exploited
An attacker on the network can reach the management interface of the RUGGEDCOM APE1808 without authentication and exploit one of multiple critical vulnerabilities (CWE-78 command injection, CWE-22 path traversal, CWE-306 missing authentication) to run arbitrary commands on the device. This gives the attacker control over a critical network appliance that sits between your IT and OT networks.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to the RUGGEDCOM APE1808 management interface (typically port 80/443)
  • No authentication required
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityactively exploited (KEV)high EPSS score (94.3%)no patch availablesits at IT/OT network boundary
Exploitability
Actively exploited — confirmed by CISA KEV
Metasploit module available — weaponized exploitView module ↗
Public Proof-of-Concept (PoC) on GitHub (10 repositories)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
RUGGEDCOM APE1808All versionsNo fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/2
WORKAROUNDImmediately restrict network access to the RUGGEDCOM APE1808 management interface using firewall rules—limit inbound access to only trusted internal IP addresses of authorized administrators.
WORKAROUNDReview firewall and access control lists to ensure the management interface is not exposed to untrusted networks or the public internet.
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/2

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXContact Siemens customer support for patch and update availability for your RUGGEDCOM APE1808 firmware.
HARDENINGMonitor network traffic to and from the RUGGEDCOM APE1808 for signs of exploitation or unauthorized access attempts.
Mitigations - no patch available
0/1
RUGGEDCOM APE1808 has reached End of Life. The vendor will not release a patch. Apply the following compensating controls:
HARDENINGSegment the RUGGEDCOM APE1808 onto a dedicated management network separate from production OT traffic, accessible only to authorized engineering staff.
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
API: /api/v1/advisories/47e1f7ed-a67c-4837-8ec4-b7411939e4d1

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Siemens RUGGEDCOM APE1808 | CVSS 10 - OTPulse