PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-39870 Siemens CVE debrief

A privilege escalation vulnerability in Siemens SINEMA Remote Connect Server allows authenticated local users with user management privileges to modify accounts outside their authorized scope and escalate privileges. The issue stems from improper authorization checks when the application is configured to allow users to manage their own user accounts. Affected versions require update to V3.2 SP1 or later.

Vendor: Siemens
Product: SINEMA Remote Connect Server
CVSS: MEDIUM 6.3
CISA KEV: Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published: 2024-07-09
Original CVE updated: 2024-07-09
Advisory published: 2024-07-09
Advisory updated: 2024-07-09

Who should care

Organizations operating Siemens SINEMA Remote Connect Server for remote access to industrial control systems and operational technology environments. Security teams responsible for OT/ICS infrastructure, system administrators managing SINEMA deployments, and compliance officers tracking industrial cybersecurity vulnerabilities should prioritize assessment and patching.

Technical summary

Siemens SINEMA Remote Connect Server contains an improper authorization vulnerability in its user management functionality. When configured to allow users to manage their own accounts, the application fails to properly restrict scope, enabling authenticated local users with this privilege to modify user accounts outside their authorized domain and escalate their own privileges. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 6.3 (Medium) with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and low privileges required. Siemens has released version V3.2 SP1 to address this issue.

Defensive priority

medium

Recommended defensive actions

Update Siemens SINEMA Remote Connect Server to V3.2 SP1 or later version
Review and restrict user management privileges to only necessary administrative accounts
Audit existing user accounts for unauthorized modifications or privilege escalations
Implement principle of least privilege for all user management configurations
Monitor for anomalous user account modifications in SINEMA Remote Connect Server environments

Evidence notes

CISA ICS advisory ICSA-24-193-01 published 2024-07-09 documents this vulnerability in Siemens SINEMA Remote Connect Server. Siemens ProductCERT advisory SSA-381581 provides vendor confirmation and remediation guidance. CVSS 6.3 (Medium) reflects network attack vector with low attack complexity and low privileges required.

Official resources

2024-07-09