A vulnerability has been identified in Cerberus DMS V4.0 (All versions), Cerberus DMS V4.1 (All versions), Cerberus DMS V4.2 (All versions), Cerberus DMS V5.0 (All versions < v5.0 QU1), Desigo CC Compact V4.0 (All versions), Desigo CC Compact V4.1 (All versions), Desigo CC Compact V4.2 (All versions), Desigo CC Compact V5.0 (All versions < V5.0 QU1), Desigo CC V4.0 (All versions), Desigo CC V4.1 (All versions), Desigo CC V4.2 (All versions), Desigo CC V5.0 (All versions < V5.0 QU1). 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.
This vulnerability allows remote code execution, classified as critical due to its CVSS score of 10. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker does not need special conditions to exploit the vulnerability. Organizations using affected versions of Cerberus DMS and Desigo CC should prioritize patching to mitigate the associated risks.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and control over affected systems, leading to data breaches or service disruptions. Immediate action is necessary given the critical severity of this vulnerability.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
A vulnerability has been identified in Cerberus DMS and Desigo CC products due to the deserialization of untrusted data. This weakness is linked to CWE-502, which indicates improper validation of input. With a CVSS score of 10, this vulnerability is categorized as critical.
The affected products include:
Cerberus DMS V4.0, V4.1, V4.2, V5.0 (All versions < v5.0 QU1)
Desigo CC Compact V4.0, V4.1, V4.2, V5.0 (All versions < V5.0 QU1)
Desigo CC V4.0, V4.1, V4.2, V5.0 (All versions < V5.0 QU1)
The vulnerability was published on September 14, 2021, and remains a critical threat for organizations relying on these systems.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's failure to validate untrusted data during the deserialization process. Attackers may leverage this flaw to send crafted input that the application deserializes without proper checks, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, allowing remote exploitation. The attack complexity is low, meaning that no special conditions are required for an attack to succeed. Additionally, no privileges are required for exploitation, and no user interaction is needed, making it especially dangerous.
The impacts of successful exploitation include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability loss, as attackers could gain complete control over the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using the affected Siemens products face significant risks. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems increases the likelihood of data breaches and operational disruptions.
The critical severity of this vulnerability necessitates immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The blast radius of this vulnerability can be extensive due to its network exposure and ease of exploitation.
Given the CVSS score of 10 and the potential for high impact, organizations are urged to address this vulnerability in their patch cycle without delay.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of affected products are vulnerable:
Cerberus DMS V4.0, V4.1, V4.2, V5.0 (All versions < v5.0 QU1)
Desigo CC Compact V4.0, V4.1, V4.2, V5.0 (All versions < V5.0 QU1)
Desigo CC V4.0, V4.1, V4.2, V5.0 (All versions < V5.0 QU1)
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the available patches provided by Siemens as soon as possible. The details can be found in the vendor advisory.
In case a patch is not yet deployed, temporary workarounds should be considered. Configuration hardening practices should be implemented to limit exposure to the vulnerability.
Additionally, network controls should be established to monitor and restrict traffic to the affected systems.
For more information on security testing and vulnerability management, organizations can refer to the vulnerability management program guide.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor log indicators for unusual deserialization activity. Behavioral anomalies within the application should also be flagged.
Network signatures should be developed to identify malicious traffic targeting the vulnerable systems.
Finally, organizations should establish monitoring for system changes that could indicate an attempted compromise.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-37181 highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in the context of deserialization vulnerabilities. Organizations should ensure that their software development life cycle includes rigorous validation of user input.
This situation represents a pattern of vulnerabilities that stem from inadequate input validation, which can lead to severe security breaches.
Security teams are encouraged to conduct regular security assessments and adopt frameworks to ensure ongoing security posture. For more insights, refer to the penetration testing methodology for best practices.
Security professionals should also stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities within their technology stack. For instance, the trends highlighted in the vulnerability management program can provide valuable guidance.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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