(PT-2015-10) Positive Technologies Security Advisory
Privilege Gaining in Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal)

Vulnerable software

Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal)
Version: 13 and earlier

Link:
http://www.siemens.com/

Severity level

Severity level: Low
Impact: Privilege Gaining
Access Vector: Local

CVSS v2:
Base Score: 2.6
Vector: (AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N)

CVE: CVE-2015-1356

Software description

Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) is an engineering software to configure and program SIMATIC controllers and Standard PCs running WinAC RTX.

Vulnerability description

The specialists of the Positive Research center have detected a Privilege Gaining vulnerability in Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal).

Vulnerability exists in TIA Portal due to improper integrity protection of project-file fields containing user’s privileges, which allows attackers to modify user permissions by manipulating project files.

How to fix

Update your sofware up to the latest version

Advisory status

21.09.2012 - Vendor gets vulnerability details
13.02.2015 - Vendor releases fixed version and details
25.02.2015 - Public disclosure

Credits

The vulnerability was detected by Alexander Timorin, Positive Research Center (Positive Technologies Company)

References

http://en.securitylab.ru/lab/PT-2015-10
http://www.siemens.com/innovation/pool/de/forschungsfelder/siemens_security_advisory_ssa-234789.pdf

Reports on the vulnerabilities previously discovered by Positive Research:

http://www.ptsecurity.com/research/advisory/
http://en.securitylab.ru/lab/

About Positive Technologies

Positive Technologies is a leading provider of vulnerability assessment, compliance management and threat analysis solutions to more than 1,000 global enterprise clients. Our solutions work seamlessly across your entire business: securing applications in development; assessing your network and application vulnerabilities; assuring compliance with regulatory requirements; and blocking real-time attacks. Our commitment to clients and research has earned Positive Technologies a reputation as one of the foremost authorities on SCADA, Banking, Telecom, Web Application and ERP security, and distinction as the #1 fastest growing Security and Vulnerability Management firm in 2012, as shown in an IDC report*. To learn more about Positive Technologies please visit www.ptsecurity.com

*Source: IDC Worldwide Security and Vulnerability Management 2013-2017 Forecast and 2012 Vendor Shares, doc #242465, August 2013. Based on year-over-year revenue growth in 2012 for vendors with revenues of $20M+