Full Report
SIMATIC CP and TIM devices contain an authentication bypass vulnerability that could allow unauthenticated users to perform administrative operations under certain conditions. Siemens has released new versions for several affected products and recommends to update to the latest versions. Siemens recommends countermeasures for products where fixes are not, or not yet available.
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Authentication Bypass in SIMATIC CP and TIM Devices
## CVE Details
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2015-8214
- **CVSS Score:**
- **CVSS v3.1:** 9.8 (Critical) / 8.8 (High) depending on specific hardware interface
- **CVSS v4.0:** 9.3 (Critical) / 8.7 (High)
- **CWE:** Not explicitly stated (Authentication Bypass)
## Affected Systems
- **Products:**
- SIMATIC CP 342-5, CP 343-1 (Standard, Lean, Advanced), CP 443-1 (Standard, Advanced), CP 443-5 (Basic, Extended)
- SIMATIC TIM 3V-IE, TIM 4R-IE
- SIPLUS variants of the above NET CP and TIM modules
- **Versions:**
- CP 343-1 Advanced: < V3.0.44
- CP 343-1 Standard/Lean: < V3.1.1
- CP 443-1 Standard/Advanced: < V3.2.9
- TIM 3V-IE / TIM 4R-IE: < V2.6
- CP 342-5 and CP 443-5: All versions (No fix planned)
- **Configurations:** Systems using PROFIBUS or Ethernet interfaces for administrative operations.
## Vulnerability Description
The affected SIMATIC CP (Communications Processor) and TIM (Telecontrol Interface Module) devices contain a flaw that allows an unauthenticated user to bypass authentication mechanisms. Under certain conditions, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to the device and perform administrative operations.
In some specific modules (e.g., CP 342-5, CP 443-5), the bypass is reachable via the PROFIBUS network, while others are susceptible via Ethernet.
## Exploitation
- **Status:** PoC status not explicitly mentioned, but disclosed in 2015 and coordinated with security researchers.
- **Complexity:** Low
- **Attack Vector:**
- **Network:** For Ethernet-based modules (CVSS 9.8).
- **Adjacent:** For modules requiring access via the PROFIBUS network (CVSS 8.8).
## Impact
- **Confidentiality:** High (Full administrative access)
- **Integrity:** High (Unauthorized configuration changes)
- **Availability:** High (Potential to disrupt communications or device operation)
## Remediation
### Patches
Siemens recommends updating to the following versions or later:
- **SIMATIC CP 343-1 Advanced:** V3.0.44
- **SIMATIC CP 343-1 Standard/Lean:** V3.1.1
- **SIMATIC CP 443-1 Standard/Advanced:** V3.2.9
- **SIMATIC TIM 3V-IE / TIM 4R-IE:** V2.6
### Workarounds
For products where no fix is planned (e.g., CP 342-5, CP 443-5) or not yet available:
- **Network Isolation:** Ensure affected devices are not accessible from the Internet.
- **Segmentation:** Use firewalls to isolate the control and automation networks from the enterprise network.
- **Physical/Logic Access:** Protect PROFIBUS networks from unauthorized physical or logical access.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise:** Unusual administrative configuration changes or unauthorized log-ins (if logging is supported and exported).
- **Detection methods:** Monitor network traffic for unauthorized administrative protocols targeting the CP/TIM modules.
## References
- **Vendor Advisory:** [https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-763427.html](https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-763427.html)
- **Siemens ProductCERT:** [https://www.siemens.com/cert/advisories](https://www.siemens.com/cert/advisories)
- **CP 343-1 Lean/Standard Update:** [https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109486101/](https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109486101/)
- **CP 443-1 Update:** [https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109482246/](https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109482246/)