Full Report
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). View CSAF 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CVSS v4 7.0 ATTENTION: Low attack complexity Vendor: Siemens Equipment: SIPROTEC 5 Vulnerability: Active Debug Code 2. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to an affected device to execute arbitrary commands on the device. 3. TECHNICAL DETAILS 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS Siemens reports that the following products are affected: Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP100): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP100): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD84 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP300): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD89 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP100): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7ST86 (CP300): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SX85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VU85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MU85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP100): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP100): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SX82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 Compact 7SX800 (CP050): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP300): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP100): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VE85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SY82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UM85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP100): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP200): All versions Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP300): All versions prior to V9.90 Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP150): All versions prior to V9.90 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW 3.2.1 ACTIVE DEBUG CODE CWE-489 Affected devices do not properly limit access to a development shell accessible over a physical interface. This could allow an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the device to execute arbitrary commands on the device. CVE-2024-53648 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-53648. A base score of 7.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N). 3.3 BACKGROUND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany 3.4 RESEARCHER Steffen Robertz, Stefan Viehböck, and Constantin Schieber-Knöbl from SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab reported this vulnerability to Siemens. 4. MITIGATIONS Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk: All affected products: Restrict physical access to authorized individuals only to limit exposure SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP200), SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP200): Currently no fix is planned SIPROTEC 5 7KE85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP100), SIPROTEC 5 7ST85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7ST86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP100): Currently no fix is available SIPROTEC 5 Compact 7SX800 (CP050): Update to V9.90 or later version. SIPROTEC 5 7SA82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SD82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ81 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SK82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SL82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SX82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7SY82 (CP150), SIPROTEC 5 7UT82 (CP150): Update to V9.90 or later version. SIPROTEC 5 6MD84 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MD85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MD86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MD89 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 6MU85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SA86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SA87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SD86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SD87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SJ86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SK85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SL86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SL87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SS85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7SX85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UM85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT86 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7UT87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7VE85 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7VK87 (CP300), SIPROTEC 5 7VU85 (CP300): Update to V9.90 or later version. Operators of critical power systems (e.g. TSOs or DSOs) worldwide are usually required by regulations to build resilience into the power grids by applying multi-level redundant secondary protection schemes. It is therefore recommended that the operators check whether appropriate resilient protection measures are in place. The risk of cyber incidents impacting the grid's reliability can thus be minimized by virtue of the grid design. Siemens strongly recommends applying the provided security updates using the corresponding tooling and documented procedures made available with the product. If supported by the product, an automated means to apply the security updates across multiple product instances may be used. Siemens strongly recommends prior validation of any security update before being applied, and supervision by trained staff of the update process in the target environment. As a general security measure Siemens strongly recommends to protect network access with appropriate mechanisms (e.g. firewalls, segmentation, VPN). It is advised to configure the environment according to our operational guidelines in order to run the devices in a protected IT environment. Siemens recommends following grid security guidelines. For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-687955 in HTML and CSAF. CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. 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 on cisa.gov. 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. CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets. Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov 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. No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely. 5. UPDATE HISTORY February 13, 2025: Initial Publication
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Unauthenticated Command Execution via Active Debug Code in Siemens SIPROTEC 5
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2024-53648
- CVSS Score: 7.0 (High - based on CVSS v4.0) (CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 6.8)
- CWE: Not explicitly cited, but relates to improper access control/debugging functionality.
## Affected Systems
- Products: Siemens SIPROTEC 5 series devices (numerous models listed, including 7SK85, 7SJ81, 7SL86, 6MD84, etc.)
- Versions:
- Specific versions prior to **V9.90** for models requiring patching (e.g., 7SK85 (CP300), 7SL86 (CP300), etc.).
- **All versions** for models noted as affected without a specific cutoff (e.g., 7SJ81 (CP100), 7SK82 (CP100), etc.).
- Configurations: Requires **physical access** to the affected device.
## Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists because affected Siemens SIPROTEC 5 devices do not properly limit access to an *Active Debug Code* shell accessible via a physical interface. Successful exploitation allows an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to execute arbitrary commands on the vulnerable device.
## Exploitation
- Status: No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
- Complexity: Low (CVSS v4.0 suggests AC:L - Attack Complexity Low)
- Attack Vector: Physical (AV:P)
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High (VC:H)
- Integrity: High (VI:H)
- Availability: High (VA:H)
## Remediation
### Patches
The advisory suggests updating to versions containing the fix. Organizations must consult the official Siemens ProductCERT Security Advisories (specifically **SSA-687955**) for definitive patched versions, as the summary indicates fixes are delivered via updates (e.g., users on affected versions should seek updates containing the necessary security patches).
### Workarounds
1. **Physical Security:** Since the vulnerability requires physical access, organizations must rigorously protect the physical environment where the devices are installed.
2. **Network Segmentation/Firewalls:** As a general security measure, Siemens strongly recommends protecting network access using appropriate mechanisms (e.g., firewalls, segmentation, VPN).
3. **Operational Guidelines:** Configure the environment according to Siemens operational guidelines to run devices in a protected IT environment.
4. **Update Process Supervision:** Ensure highly trained staff supervise the update process before deployment.
## Detection
- Indicators of Compromise: Arbitrary command execution originating from physical access to the device interface should be treated as a major IOC.
- Detection Methods and Tools: Organizations should review logs for unusual administrative or command execution sequences via the device's physical interface. CISA recommends implementing proactive defense strategies for ICS assets.
## References
- Vendor Advisories: Siemens Security Advisory **SSA-687955** (Available in HTML and CSAF formats).
- Relevant links:
- Siemens ProductCERT Security Advisories: hXXps://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/services/cert.html#SecurityPublications
- CISA CSAF Repository: hXXps://github.com/cisagov/CSAF