PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-41938 Siemens CVE debrief

A path traversal vulnerability in the importCertificate function of the SINEC NMS Control web application allows authenticated attackers to delete arbitrary certificate files on the installation drive. The vulnerability was published on August 13, 2024, with a CVSS 3.1 score of 5.5 (Medium severity). Authentication is required for exploitation, limiting the attack surface to users with valid credentials. The vulnerability specifically affects certificate file operations through improper path validation during certificate import operations.

Vendor: Siemens
Product: SINEC NMS
CVSS: MEDIUM 5.5
CISA KEV: Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published: 2024-08-13
Original CVE updated: 2024-08-13
Advisory published: 2024-08-13
Advisory updated: 2024-08-13

Who should care

Organizations operating Siemens SINEC NMS for industrial network management, particularly those relying on certificate-based authentication and encryption for operational technology environments. Security teams responsible for industrial control system infrastructure and certificate lifecycle management should prioritize this update to prevent potential service disruption from certificate deletion.

Technical summary

The importCertificate function in SINEC NMS Control fails to properly validate file paths, enabling authenticated users to traverse directory structures and delete arbitrary certificate files on the host system. The vulnerability requires high privileges (PR:H) but is exploitable over the network with low attack complexity (AC:L). Scope change (S:C) indicates impact beyond the vulnerable component. The CVSS environmental score modifiers show proof-of-concept exploit availability (E:P), official fix available (RL:O), and confirmed report credibility (RC:C). Remediation is available through vendor update to version 3.0 or later.

Defensive priority

medium

Recommended defensive actions

Apply vendor fix by updating SINEC NMS to version 3.0 or later
Restrict network access to SINEC NMS Control web application to authorized administrative hosts only
Monitor for unauthorized certificate file deletion operations on SINEC NMS installation directories
Implement defense-in-depth strategies for industrial control systems per CISA guidance
Review and validate certificate management procedures to ensure proper access controls

Evidence notes

Vulnerability description and remediation guidance sourced from CISA ICS advisory ICSA-24-228-06 and Siemens security advisory SSA-784301. CVSS vector indicates network attack vector with low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and scope change with low impact to integrity and availability.

Official resources

2024-08-13