CVE-2025-1709
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability exposes PostgreSQL database credentials stored in plain text (partially base64 encoded) in SICK industrial control systems. Attackers who gain access to affected systems can extract these credentials to compromise the database. This affects SICK industrial devices and software installations.
💻 Affected Systems
- SICK industrial control systems and devices
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full database compromise leading to data theft, manipulation of industrial processes, or lateral movement to other systems in the industrial network.
Likely Case
Database credential theft allowing unauthorized access to industrial data, potentially disrupting operations or enabling further attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, access controls, and credential rotation are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to the system to locate and decode the stored credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified
Vendor Advisory: https://sick.com/psirt
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check SICK PSIRT for specific patches. 2. Apply vendor-recommended updates. 3. Rotate PostgreSQL credentials after patching.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Credential Rotation
allChange PostgreSQL database passwords to mitigate impact of exposed credentials
ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'new_secure_password';
File Access Restriction
linuxRestrict access to configuration files containing credentials
chmod 600 /path/to/config/file
chown root:root /path/to/config/file
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate PostgreSQL databases from untrusted networks
- Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to credential storage locations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Search for plain text or base64 encoded PostgreSQL credentials in configuration files, environment variables, and application directories on SICK systems.Check Version:
Check with SICK vendor for specific version information and updatesVerify Fix Applied:
Verify credentials are no longer stored in plain text or easily decodable formats, and check that new secure storage mechanisms are implemented.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed PostgreSQL authentication attempts from unexpected sources
- Unauthorized access to configuration files
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected PostgreSQL connections from non-standard sources
- Database queries from unauthorized IP addresses
SIEM Query:
source="postgresql.log" AND (event_type="authentication_failure" OR event_type="connection_from_untrusted_ip")🔗 References
- https://sick.com/psirt
- https://sick.com/psirt
- https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices
- https://www.endress.com
- https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.1
- https://www.sick.com/.well-known/csaf/white/2025/sca-2025-0008.json
- https://www.sick.com/.well-known/csaf/white/2025/sca-2025-0008.pdf
