ICSA-21-257-17
Vulnerability from csaf_cisa
Published
2021-09-14 00:00
Modified
2025-05-06 06:00
Summary
Siemens Desigo CC Family

Notes

Summary
Desigo CC, Desigo CC Compact and Cerberus DMS that use CCOM communication component hosted in IIS contain a deserialisation vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to perform remote code execution. Only those systems that use Windows App and/or IE XBAP Web Client are affected. Regular installed clients and the new HTML5 Flex Clients are not impacted by this vulnerability. Note that the risk of this vulnerability being exploited is particularly high for any Desigo CC system that is connected directly to the Internet. For systems not accessible directly from the Internet, an attacker would need to have access to the local network to exploit this vulnerability. Siemens has released updates for the affected products and recommends to update to the latest versions.
General Recommendations
As a general security measure Siemens strongly recommends to protect network access to affected products with appropriate mechanisms. It is advised to follow recommended security practices in order to run the devices in a protected IT environment.
Additional Resources
For further inquiries on security vulnerabilities in Siemens products and solutions, please contact the Siemens ProductCERT: https://www.siemens.com/cert/advisories
Terms of Use
Siemens Security Advisories are subject to the terms and conditions contained in Siemens' underlying license terms or other applicable agreements previously agreed to with Siemens (hereinafter "License Terms"). To the extent applicable to information, software or documentation made available in or through a Siemens Security Advisory, the Terms of Use of Siemens' Global Website (https://www.siemens.com/terms_of_use, hereinafter "Terms of Use"), in particular Sections 8-10 of the Terms of Use, shall apply additionally. In case of conflicts, the License Terms shall prevail over the Terms of Use.
Legal Notice
All information products included in https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics are provided "as is" for informational purposes only. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding any information contained within. DHS does not endorse any commercial product or service, referenced in this product or otherwise. Further dissemination of this product is governed by the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) marking in the header. For more information about TLP, see https://us-cert.cisa.gov/tlp/.
Advisory Conversion Disclaimer
This CISA CSAF advisory was converted from Siemens ProductCERT's CSAF advisory.
Critical infrastructure sectors
Multiple
Countries/areas deployed
Worldwide
Company headquarters location
Germany
Recommended Practices
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the exploitation risk of these vulnerabilities.
Recommended Practices
Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure they are not accessible from the internet.
Recommended Practices
Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from business networks.
Recommended Practices
When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most recent version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as its connected devices.
Recommended Practices
CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.
Recommended Practices
CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
Recommended Practices
CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets. Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.
Recommended Practices
Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.


To clipboard 

{
  "document": {
    "acknowledgments": [
      {
        "organization": "Siemens ProductCERT",
        "summary": "reporting this vulnerability to CISA."
      },
      {
        "names": [
          "Markus Wulftange"
        ],
        "organization": "Code White GmbH",
        "summary": "reporting the vulnerability"
      }
    ],
    "category": "csaf_security_advisory",
    "csaf_version": "2.0",
    "distribution": {
      "text": "Disclosure is not limited",
      "tlp": {
        "label": "WHITE",
        "url": "https://us-cert.cisa.gov/tlp/"
      }
    },
    "notes": [
      {
        "category": "summary",
        "text": "Desigo CC, Desigo CC Compact and Cerberus DMS that use CCOM communication component hosted in IIS contain a deserialisation vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to perform remote code execution. Only those systems that use Windows App and/or IE XBAP Web Client are affected. Regular installed clients and the new HTML5 Flex Clients are not impacted by this vulnerability.\n\nNote that the risk of this vulnerability being exploited is particularly high for any Desigo CC system that is connected directly to the Internet. For systems not accessible directly from the Internet, an attacker would need to have access to the local network to exploit this vulnerability.\n\nSiemens has released updates for the affected products and recommends to update to the latest versions.",
        "title": "Summary"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "As a general security measure Siemens strongly recommends to protect network access to affected products with appropriate mechanisms. It is advised to follow recommended security practices in order to run the devices in a protected IT environment.",
        "title": "General Recommendations"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "For further inquiries on security vulnerabilities in Siemens products and solutions, please contact the Siemens ProductCERT: https://www.siemens.com/cert/advisories",
        "title": "Additional Resources"
      },
      {
        "category": "legal_disclaimer",
        "text": "Siemens Security Advisories are subject to the terms and conditions contained in Siemens\u0027 underlying license terms or other applicable agreements previously agreed to with Siemens (hereinafter \"License Terms\"). To the extent applicable to information, software or documentation made available in or through a Siemens Security Advisory, the Terms of Use of Siemens\u0027 Global Website (https://www.siemens.com/terms_of_use, hereinafter \"Terms of Use\"), in particular Sections 8-10 of the Terms of Use, shall apply additionally. In case of conflicts, the License Terms shall prevail over the Terms of Use.",
        "title": "Terms of Use"
      },
      {
        "category": "legal_disclaimer",
        "text": "All information products included in https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics are provided \"as is\" for informational purposes only. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding any information contained within. DHS does not endorse any commercial product or service, referenced in this product or otherwise. Further dissemination of this product is governed by the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) marking in the header. For more information about TLP, see https://us-cert.cisa.gov/tlp/.",
        "title": "Legal Notice"
      },
      {
        "category": "other",
        "text": "This CISA CSAF advisory was converted from Siemens ProductCERT\u0027s CSAF advisory.",
        "title": "Advisory Conversion Disclaimer"
      },
      {
        "category": "other",
        "text": "Multiple",
        "title": "Critical infrastructure sectors"
      },
      {
        "category": "other",
        "text": "Worldwide",
        "title": "Countries/areas deployed"
      },
      {
        "category": "other",
        "text": "Germany",
        "title": "Company headquarters location"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the exploitation risk of these vulnerabilities.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure they are not accessible from the internet.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from business networks.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most recent version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as its connected devices.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets. Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "general",
        "text": "Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.",
        "title": "Recommended Practices"
      }
    ],
    "publisher": {
      "category": "other",
      "contact_details": "central@cisa.dhs.gov",
      "name": "CISA",
      "namespace": "https://www.cisa.gov/"
    },
    "references": [
      {
        "category": "self",
        "summary": "SSA-453715: Deserialization Vulnerability in CCOM Communication Component of Desigo CC Family - CSAF Version",
        "url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/csaf/ssa-453715.json"
      },
      {
        "category": "self",
        "summary": "SSA-453715: Deserialization Vulnerability in CCOM Communication Component of Desigo CC Family - TXT Version",
        "url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/txt/ssa-453715.txt"
      },
      {
        "category": "self",
        "summary": "SSA-453715: Deserialization Vulnerability in CCOM Communication Component of Desigo CC Family - PDF Version",
        "url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-453715.pdf"
      },
      {
        "category": "self",
        "summary": "ICS Advisory ICSA-21-257-17 JSON",
        "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2021/icsa-21-257-17.json"
      },
      {
        "category": "self",
        "summary": "ICS Advisory ICSA-21-257-17 - Web Version",
        "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-21-257-17"
      },
      {
        "category": "external",
        "summary": "Recommended Practices",
        "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01"
      },
      {
        "category": "external",
        "summary": "Recommended Practices",
        "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices"
      },
      {
        "category": "external",
        "summary": "Recommended Practices",
        "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems"
      },
      {
        "category": "external",
        "summary": "Recommended Practices",
        "url": "https://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf"
      },
      {
        "category": "external",
        "summary": "Recommended Practices",
        "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Cybersecurity_Best_Practices_for_Industrial_Control_Systems.pdf"
      },
      {
        "category": "external",
        "summary": "Recommended Practices",
        "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/tips/ICS-TIP-12-146-01B"
      }
    ],
    "title": "Siemens Desigo CC Family",
    "tracking": {
      "current_release_date": "2025-05-06T06:00:00.000000Z",
      "generator": {
        "engine": {
          "name": "CISA CSAF Generator",
          "version": "1.0.0"
        }
      },
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      "revision_history": [
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        },
        {
          "date": "2025-05-06T06:00:00.000000Z",
          "legacy_version": "Revision",
          "number": "2",
          "summary": "Revision - Fixing typos"
        }
      ],
      "status": "final",
      "version": "2"
    }
  },
  "product_tree": {
    "branches": [
      {
        "branches": [
          {
            "branches": [
              {
                "category": "product_version_range",
                "name": "vers:all/*",
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                  "name": "Cerberus DMS V4.0",
                  "product_id": "CSAFPID-0001"
                }
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            ],
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                  "product_id": "CSAFPID-0002"
                }
              }
            ],
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            "name": "Cerberus DMS V4.1"
          },
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                }
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          },
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          },
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                }
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          },
          {
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                "category": "product_version_range",
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                  "product_id": "CSAFPID-0011"
                }
              }
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            "name": "Desigo CC V4.2"
          },
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                }
              }
            ],
            "category": "product_name",
            "name": "Desigo CC V5.0"
          }
        ],
        "category": "vendor",
        "name": "Siemens"
      }
    ]
  },
  "vulnerabilities": [
    {
      "cve": "CVE-2021-37181",
      "cwe": {
        "id": "CWE-502",
        "name": "Deserialization of Untrusted Data"
      },
      "notes": [
        {
          "category": "summary",
          "text": "The application deserialises untrusted data without sufficient validations, that could result in an arbitrary deserialization. This could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute code in the affected system. The CCOM communication component used for Windows App / Click-Once and IE Web / XBAP client connectivity are affected by the vulnerability.",
          "title": "Summary"
        }
      ],
      "product_status": {
        "known_affected": [
          "CSAFPID-0001",
          "CSAFPID-0002",
          "CSAFPID-0003",
          "CSAFPID-0004",
          "CSAFPID-0005",
          "CSAFPID-0006",
          "CSAFPID-0007",
          "CSAFPID-0008",
          "CSAFPID-0009",
          "CSAFPID-0010",
          "CSAFPID-0011",
          "CSAFPID-0012"
        ]
      },
      "references": [
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Cerberus DMS V4.0",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Cerberus DMS V4.1",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Cerberus DMS V4.2",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Cerberus DMS V5.0",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109800951/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC Compact V4.0",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC Compact V4.1",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC Compact V4.2",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC Compact V5.0",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109800951/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC V4.0",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC V4.1",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC V4.2",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 - Desigo CC V5.0",
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109800951/"
        },
        {
          "summary": "CVE-2021-37181 Mitre 5.0 json",
          "url": "https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/mitre/CVE-2021-37181.json"
        }
      ],
      "remediations": [
        {
          "category": "vendor_fix",
          "details": "Apply Patch 1520637",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0001",
            "CSAFPID-0005",
            "CSAFPID-0009"
          ],
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "category": "vendor_fix",
          "details": "Apply Patch 1417968",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0002",
            "CSAFPID-0006",
            "CSAFPID-0010"
          ],
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "category": "vendor_fix",
          "details": "Update to V4.2 QU1 and Apply Patch 1417967",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0003"
          ],
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "category": "vendor_fix",
          "details": "Update to V5.0 QU1 or later version",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0004",
            "CSAFPID-0008",
            "CSAFPID-0012"
          ],
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109800951/"
        },
        {
          "category": "vendor_fix",
          "details": "Update to V4.2 QU1 and Apply Patch 1417967",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0007",
            "CSAFPID-0011"
          ],
          "url": "https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109801179/"
        },
        {
          "category": "mitigation",
          "details": "If the user is using a software version equal or older than V3.x, no patches will be released. Siemens recommends to upgrade to V5.0 QU1 (or any newer version that will be released in the future).",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0001",
            "CSAFPID-0002",
            "CSAFPID-0003",
            "CSAFPID-0004",
            "CSAFPID-0005",
            "CSAFPID-0006",
            "CSAFPID-0007",
            "CSAFPID-0008",
            "CSAFPID-0009",
            "CSAFPID-0010",
            "CSAFPID-0011",
            "CSAFPID-0012"
          ]
        },
        {
          "category": "mitigation",
          "details": "If a patch or Quality Update is not feasible, and if the user can accept to stop the use of Windows App and IE XBAP Web Client, then disable the Web Application and Web Client from SMC. As a result, Windows App and IE XBAP Web Client will stop working and the vulnerability cannot be exploited anymore.",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0001",
            "CSAFPID-0002",
            "CSAFPID-0003",
            "CSAFPID-0004",
            "CSAFPID-0005",
            "CSAFPID-0006",
            "CSAFPID-0007",
            "CSAFPID-0008",
            "CSAFPID-0009",
            "CSAFPID-0010",
            "CSAFPID-0011",
            "CSAFPID-0012"
          ]
        },
        {
          "category": "mitigation",
          "details": "If all the above cannot apply, restrict Desigo CC to dedicated local networks, disabling the Internet access by blocking the CCOM Port for inbound and outbound communication. This will allow the use of Windows App and IE XBAP Client within a defined network space like the local network only. This action requires approval from the user as it will not remove the vulnerability but reduce the exposure. The vulnerability can be exploited in case the attacker can access the protected network first.",
          "product_ids": [
            "CSAFPID-0001",
            "CSAFPID-0002",
            "CSAFPID-0003",
            "CSAFPID-0004",
            "CSAFPID-0005",
            "CSAFPID-0006",
            "CSAFPID-0007",
            "CSAFPID-0008",
            "CSAFPID-0009",
            "CSAFPID-0010",
            "CSAFPID-0011",
            "CSAFPID-0012"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "scores": [
        {
          "cvss_v3": {
            "baseScore": 10.0,
            "baseSeverity": "CRITICAL",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C",
            "version": "3.1"
          },
          "products": [
            "CSAFPID-0001",
            "CSAFPID-0002",
            "CSAFPID-0003",
            "CSAFPID-0004",
            "CSAFPID-0005",
            "CSAFPID-0006",
            "CSAFPID-0007",
            "CSAFPID-0008",
            "CSAFPID-0009",
            "CSAFPID-0010",
            "CSAFPID-0011",
            "CSAFPID-0012"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "title": "CVE-2021-37181"
    }
  ]
}


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  • Confirmed: The vulnerability is confirmed from an analyst perspective.
  • Exploited: This vulnerability was exploited and seen by the user reporting the sighting.
  • Patched: This vulnerability was successfully patched by the user reporting the sighting.
  • Not exploited: This vulnerability was not exploited or seen by the user reporting the sighting.
  • Not confirmed: The user expresses doubt about the veracity of the vulnerability.
  • Not patched: This vulnerability was not successfully patched by the user reporting the sighting.