CVE-2019-18342
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Siemens Control Center Server (CCS) allows unauthenticated remote attackers with network access to read or delete arbitrary files and access other server resources via the SFTP service. It affects all CCS versions before V1.5.0 when combined with CVE-2019-18341. Organizations using vulnerable CCS installations are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Siemens Control Center Server (CCS)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise including data theft, file deletion, and potential lateral movement to other systems on the network.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive files, configuration data, and potential disruption of control center operations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and access controls prevent exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires combining with CVE-2019-18341, but both vulnerabilities are unauthenticated and have low complexity.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: V1.5.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-761617.pdf
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download CCS V1.5.0 or later from Siemens support portal. 2. Backup current configuration and data. 3. Install the updated version following Siemens installation guide. 4. Restart the CCS service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
linuxRestrict network access to CCS SFTP service (port 22/tcp) to only trusted systems.
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-rich-rule='rule family="ipv4" source address="TRUSTED_IP" port protocol="tcp" port="22" accept'
firewall-cmd --reload
Disable SFTP Service
linuxTemporarily disable the vulnerable SFTP service if not required for operations.
systemctl stop sftp-service
systemctl disable sftp-service
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit connections to CCS SFTP service only from trusted IP addresses.
- Monitor network traffic to CCS port 22/tcp for suspicious activity and implement intrusion detection rules.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CCS version via web interface or configuration files. If version is below V1.5.0 and SFTP service is running on port 22, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check CCS web interface or configuration files for version information (specific command depends on installation).Verify Fix Applied:
Verify CCS version is V1.5.0 or later and test that SFTP service properly restricts file access to authorized directories only.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SFTP connections from unexpected IP addresses
- Failed or successful file access attempts outside normal directories
- Multiple connection attempts to port 22
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to CCS port 22/tcp
- SFTP connections from unauthorized network segments
- File transfer patterns inconsistent with normal operations
SIEM Query:
source="ccs_logs" AND (port=22 OR protocol="sftp") AND (src_ip NOT IN ["trusted_ips"])