CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication: Unverified Password Change
CVE-2024-37998 is a critical-severity unverified password change vulnerability in CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication from Siemens, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version V5.40 as the first without the flaw, so updating CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication to V5.40 or a later version.
- Update SICORE Base system to V1.4.0 or 1.4.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update cpci85_firmware to 5.40 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens | CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication | before V5.40 | V5.40 |
| Siemens | SICORE Base system | before V1.4.0; before 1.4.0 | V1.4.0, 1.4.0 |
| Siemens | cpci85_firmware | before 5.40 | 5.40 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (siemens.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (siemens.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (siemens.com) |
Official description
A vulnerability has been identified in CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication (All versions < V5.40), SICORE Base system (All versions < V1.4.0). The password of administrative accounts of the affected applications can be reset without requiring the knowledge of the current password, given the auto login is enabled. This could allow an unauthorized attacker to obtain administrative access of the affected applications.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Unverified Password Change
When setting a new password for a user, the product does not require knowledge of the original password, or using another form of authentication.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When prompting for a password change, force the user to provide the original password in addition to the new password.
- Do not use forgotten password functionality. But if you must, ensure that you are only providing information to the actual user, e.g. by using an email address or challenge question that the legitimate user already provided in the past; do not allow the current user to change this identity information until the correct password has been provided.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in CPCI85 Central Processing/Communication
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Unverified Password Change vulnerabilities
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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