CVE-2024-37998
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthorized attackers to reset administrative passwords without knowing the current password when auto-login is enabled, granting them full administrative access. It affects CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication systems and SICORE Base systems from Siemens. Organizations using these industrial control systems are at risk of complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication
- SICORE Base system
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system takeover allowing attackers to manipulate industrial processes, disrupt operations, steal sensitive data, or cause physical damage to connected equipment.
Likely Case
Unauthorized administrative access leading to configuration changes, data exfiltration, or disruption of industrial operations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if auto-login is disabled and proper network segmentation isolates affected systems.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to the affected system but no authentication. The vulnerability is straightforward to exploit once discovered.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: CPCI85: V5.40 or later, SICORE: V1.4.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-071402.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download updated firmware from Siemens support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Apply firmware update following vendor instructions. 4. Restart system. 5. Verify version is updated.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Auto-Login
allDisable the auto-login feature to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability
Network Segmentation
allIsolate affected systems in separate network segments with strict access controls
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable auto-login feature immediately on all affected systems
- Implement strict network access controls and monitor for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check system version via web interface or CLI. For CPCI85: version < V5.40, for SICORE: version < V1.4.0. Also verify if auto-login is enabled.Check Version:
System-specific - typically via web interface System Information page or vendor-specific CLI commandsVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm system version is CPCI85 V5.40+ or SICORE V1.4.0+ and auto-login is disabled or patched behavior verified.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful login
- Password reset events
- Configuration changes from unusual sources
- Administrative actions from unexpected IP addresses
Network Indicators:
- Unusual authentication traffic to administrative interfaces
- Traffic patterns indicating password reset attempts
SIEM Query:
source="affected_system" AND (event_type="password_reset" OR event_type="admin_login") AND NOT user="authorized_user"