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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2023-52617 Siemens CVE debrief

A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's PCI switchtec driver could cause a crash during device release after surprise hot removal. The issue was resolved by fixing the stdev_release() function to properly handle cleanup when a device is unexpectedly removed. Siemens has identified this vulnerability as affecting certain industrial networking products running SINEC OS, including the RUGGEDCOM RST2428P and SCALANCE X-family switches. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of device state during hot removal operations in the PCI switchtec driver.

Vendor
Siemens
Product
RUGGEDCOM RST2428P (6GK6242-6PA00)
CVSS
Unknown
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2025-08-12
Original CVE updated
2026-02-25
Advisory published
2025-08-12
Advisory updated
2026-02-25

Who should care

Organizations operating Siemens industrial networking equipment including RUGGEDCOM RST2428P switches and SCALANCE X-family managed switches running SINEC OS. System administrators responsible for PCI Express hot-plug capable systems using Microchip Switchtec PCIe switches. Industrial control system operators following CISA guidance for critical infrastructure protection.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the PCI switchtec driver within the Linux kernel. When a switchtec PCI device undergoes surprise hot removal (unexpected physical removal while the system is running), the stdev_release() function may crash due to improper cleanup handling. This is a use-after-free or null pointer dereference scenario during the device release path. The fix ensures proper synchronization and state validation before accessing device resources during release. Affected Siemens products utilize this kernel driver in their SINEC OS-based industrial networking equipment.

Defensive priority

medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Review Siemens ProductCERT advisory SSA-613116 for affected product versions and patch availability
  • Apply vendor-provided firmware updates for SINEC OS on affected SCALANCE and RUGGEDCOM devices
  • Implement physical access controls to prevent unauthorized hot removal of PCI devices
  • Monitor system logs for unexpected PCI device removal events and subsequent crashes
  • Follow CISA ICS recommended practices for defense-in-depth strategies in industrial control environments

Evidence notes

The vulnerability description indicates a crash in stdev_release() following surprise hot remove of PCI switchtec devices. The source advisory (ICSA-25-226-15) from CISA, based on Siemens ProductCERT SSA-613116, lists affected products including RUGGEDCOM RST2428P and SCALANCE XC-300/XR-300/XC-400/XR-500WG/XR-500 family devices. The advisory was initially published 2025-08-12 and most recently updated 2026-02-25 to reflect corrections to affected products list and removal of rejected CVEs.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2023-52617 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-52617

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2023-52617 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-52617

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2025/icsa-25-226-15.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/csaf/ssa-613116.json

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-613116.html

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-226-15

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-alerts/ics-alert-10-301-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf

    Reference

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.