CVE-2021-44523
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read, modify, or delete activity feed entries in Siemens SiPass integrated and Siveillance Identity systems. The affected applications insufficiently limit access to internal activity feed databases, potentially exposing sensitive system activity data. Organizations using these specific Siemens access control and identity management products are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- SiPass integrated
- Siveillance Identity
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could delete or manipulate activity logs to cover tracks after a breach, modify access control events to hide unauthorized entries, or exfiltrate sensitive system activity data.
Likely Case
Attackers would read activity feed data to gather intelligence about system usage, personnel movements, and security events, potentially enabling further attacks.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and access controls, the impact is limited to unauthorized viewing of activity logs without ability to modify or delete critical data.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability requires no authentication and likely involves direct database access, making exploitation straightforward for attackers who discover the endpoint.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Siveillance Identity V1.6.284.0 or later; SiPass integrated V2.90 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-463116.pdf
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the latest version from Siemens support portal. 2. Backup current configuration and data. 3. Install the update following Siemens documentation. 4. Restart the application/services. 5. Verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allRestrict network access to affected systems using firewalls or network segmentation
Access Control Lists
allImplement strict IP-based access controls to limit which systems can communicate with vulnerable endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate affected systems from untrusted networks
- Deploy web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to block unauthorized database access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the application version in the system administration interface or configuration files against affected version rangesCheck Version:
Check via application web interface or consult Siemens documentation for version verification commandsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed version is Siveillance Identity V1.6.284.0+ or SiPass integrated V2.90+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual database access patterns
- Unauthorized access attempts to activity feed endpoints
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful database queries
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic to database ports from unauthorized IPs
- SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests
- Excessive data exfiltration from activity feed endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="application_logs" AND (event_type="database_access" OR endpoint="*activity*feed*") AND user="unauthenticated"