Siemens SIMATIC
Plan PatchCVSS 7.7ICS-CERT ICSA-26-134-07May 12, 2026
SiemensManufacturing
Attack path
Attack VectorLocal
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary
SIMATIC HMI Unified Comfort Panels before V21.0 contain a vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated attacker to access the web browser through the Control Panel via the help link. If the Control Panel is not protected by security mechanisms, an attacker can exploit this to access the browser and potentially discover backdoors or make unwanted misconfigurations to the HMI runtime environment.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker with physical or network access to an unprotected HMI panel could launch a web browser and gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially leading to misconfiguration of industrial processes, altered setpoints, or disruption of plant operations.
Who's at risk
Manufacturing facilities using Siemens SIMATIC HMI Unified Comfort panels (MTP700, MTP1000, MTP1200, MTP1500, MTP1900, MTP2200 models) and SIPLUS HMI MTP variants with Comfort Pro or Unified Comfort runtime before version 21.0. This includes production lines, batch processing, and any facility relying on these touchscreen HMI devices for operator interface and process monitoring.
How it could be exploited
An attacker clicks the help link in the Control Panel on an affected HMI device, which launches an unauthenticated web browser. The attacker can then use the browser to explore the system and potentially access configuration interfaces or discover backdoors that allow further compromise of the HMI and connected industrial equipment.
Prerequisites
- Physical or network access to the HMI panel touchscreen or interface
- Control Panel not protected by security access restrictions
- Help link functionality enabled (default configuration)
No authentication requiredLow complexity exploitationAffects HMI/operator interface systemsPhysical and network attack vectors
Exploitability
Unlikely to be exploited — EPSS score 0.0%
Affected products (50)
50 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/2WORKAROUNDDisable the taskbar on affected panels via Control Panel > System Properties > Taskbar
HARDENINGEnable access protection for the Control Panel (see Siemens security guidelines section 3.4.1)
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/2Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
HOTFIXUpdate all affected SIMATIC HMI panels to firmware version V21 or later
HARDENINGConfigure runtime autostart settings per Siemens security guidelines section 3.4.2 to prevent unauthorized access during startup
Long-term hardening
0/1HARDENINGEnsure proper HMI runtime shutdown procedures per Siemens security guidelines section 3.2 to prevent uncontrolled access during transitions
CVEs (1)
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