PatchSiren

PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-26840 Siemens CVE debrief

A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's cachefiles subsystem was resolved. The flaw existed in the cachefiles_add_cache() function, which could lead to memory exhaustion under certain conditions. This vulnerability affects Siemens industrial networking products running SINEC OS, specifically the RUGGEDCOM RST2428P and SCALANCE X-family switches. The issue was addressed through kernel patching. CISA published this advisory on August 12, 2025, with subsequent updates through February 2026 to correct affected product listings and incorporate Siemens ProductCERT guidance.

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 Ethernet switches and RUGGEDCOM devices in critical infrastructure environments, particularly those in manufacturing, energy, and transportation sectors where SCALANCE and RUGGEDCOM products are deployed. Security teams responsible for OT/ICS asset management and patch coordination should prioritize this advisory.

Technical summary

The vulnerability resides in the cachefiles_add_cache() function within the Linux kernel's cachefiles subsystem, which provides caching support for network filesystems. A memory leak condition could allow unbounded memory consumption, potentially leading to denial of service through resource exhaustion. The flaw was corrected in the upstream Linux kernel. Siemens industrial networking products incorporating the vulnerable kernel code are affected, including SCALANCE XC-300/XR-300/XC-400/XR-500WG/XR-500 family switches, SCALANCE XCM-/XRM-/XCH-/XRH-300 family devices, and the RUGGEDCOM RST2428P. The advisory threat classification of 'Misinformed' suggests this may relate to information integrity or diagnostic issues rather than direct security exploitation, though the underlying kernel fix addresses a genuine memory management defect.

Defensive priority

medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply vendor-provided firmware updates for affected Siemens SCALANCE and RUGGEDCOM devices per Siemens ProductCERT SSA-613116
  • Review CISA ICS recommended practices for defense-in-depth strategies for industrial control systems
  • Monitor Siemens ProductCERT portal for additional product-specific guidance
  • Implement network segmentation for industrial control systems to limit exposure
  • Ensure affected devices are not directly exposed to untrusted networks

Evidence notes

The vulnerability description is sourced from the Linux kernel commit message resolving the issue. Siemens ProductCERT advisory SSA-613116 provides product-specific impact assessment. CISA's ICSA-25-226-15 advisory, republished February 25, 2026, represents the current authoritative guidance. The threat category is marked as 'Misinformed' in the source CSAF data, indicating potential for information quality issues rather than direct exploitation.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-26840 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-26840

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

  • CVE-2024-26840 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-26840

    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.