SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V16: Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk
CVE-2026-24349 is a high-severity cleartext storage in a file or on disk vulnerability in SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V16 from Siemens, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V16 versions: all versions. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.06% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V21 to V21 Update 2 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on cert-portal.siemens.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens | SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V16 | all versions | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V17 | all versions | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V18 | all versions | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V19 | all versions | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V20 | all versions | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V21 | before V21 Update 2 | V21 Update 2 |
| Siemens | Simatic Wincc Unified Pc Runtime | 16 through 20; 21 | Not stated |
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- 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
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by CNA (siemens.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.2 | High | CNA (siemens.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.1 | High | CNA (siemens.com) |
Official description
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V16 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V17 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V18 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V19 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V20 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC Unified PC Runtime V21 (All versions < V21 Update 2). Insufficient protection of key material in WinCC Certificate Manager that could allow an attacker to extract sensitive information.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk
The product stores sensitive information in cleartext in a file, or on disk.
More Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk vulnerabilities (CWE-313)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
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