Zero-day vulnerability in Siemens SIMATIC WinCC

Improper input validation
CVE-2014-8551

The vulnerability has been exploited in targeted attacks involving BlackEnergy Trojan.

Known malware:

BlackEnergy

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2014121901 - Two vulnerabilities in Siemens SIMATIC WinCC

Vulnerable component: Siemens SIMATIC WinCC

CVE-ID: CVE-2014-8551

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-20 - Improper input validation

Description:

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation when processing packets sent to the WinCC server. A remote unauthenticated attacker can send a specially crafted packet and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

Note: this vulnerability has been exploited in targeted attacks.

External links:

http://www.siemens.com/cert/pool/cert/siemens_security_advisory_ssa-134508.pdf
https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-14-329-02D

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.