ICS Advisory

Siemens Solid Edge

Release Date
Alert Code
ICSA-23-166-09

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, please see Siemens' ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global).

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 7.8
  • ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
  • Vendor: Siemens
  • Equipment: Solid Edge
  • Vulnerability: Out-of-bounds Read

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following products from Siemens are affected:

  • Solid Edge SE2023: All versions prior to V223.0 Update 5

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 OUT-OF-BOUNDS READ CWE-125

Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK (versions before 2024.1) is vulnerable to an out-of-bounds read when reading a DWG file. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2023-26495 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been assigned. The CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Multiple
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Siemens reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

  • Solid Edge SE2023: Update to V223.0 Update 5 or later version
  • Solid Edge SE2023: Avoid opening untrusted files from unknown sources in Solid Edge

For further inquiries on security vulnerabilities in Siemens products and solutions, please contact Siemens.

As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens' operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage.

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-975766 in HTML and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure they are not accessible from the Internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from business networks.
  • When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as its connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.

This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.

Vendor

  • Siemens