CVE-2018-16561: siemens simatic_s7-300_firmware Improper Input Validation

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-16561 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Improper Input Validation vulnerability in siemens simatic_s7-300_firmware. EPSS estimates a 1.37% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 71.4% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 17-04-2019
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 02-06-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC S7-300 CPUs (All versions < V3.X.16). The affected CPUs improperly validate S7 communication packets which could cause a Denial-of-Service condition of the CPU. The CPU will remain in DEFECT mode until manual restart. Successful exploitation requires an attacker to be able to send a specially crafted S7 communication packet to a communication interface of the CPU. This includes Ethernet, PROFIBUS, and Multi Point Interfaces (MPI). No user interaction or privileges are required to exploit the security vulnerability. The vulnerability could allow causing a Denial-of-Service condition of the core functionality of the CPU, compromising the availability of the system. At the time of advisory publication no public exploitation of this security vulnerability was known. Siemens confirms the security vulnerability and provides mitigations to resolve the security issue.

• CWE-20Improper Input ValidationThe product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.