CVE-2021-37173 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in various products by Siemens under the RUGGEDCOM ROX series. The affected versions include RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000, RX1400, RX1500, RX1501, RX1510, RX1511, RX1512, RX1524, RX1536, and RX5000, all versions less than V2.14.1. This vulnerability could allow an authenticated remote attacker to escalate privileges through insufficiently restricted file read and write operations.

Understanding CVE-2021-37173

This section will provide insights into the details and impact of the CVE-2021-37173 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-37173?

The vulnerability in CVE-2021-37173 affects Siemens' RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000, RX1400, RX1500, RX1501, RX1510, RX1511, RX1512, RX1524, RX1536, and RX5000 with versions below V2.14.1. It arises due to insufficiently restricted file read and write operations in the command line interface, enabling privilege escalation for unauthorized users.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37173

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an authenticated remote attacker to gain root access to the affected device. By escalating privileges, the attacker can execute unauthorized actions, jeopardizing the security and integrity of the device and its network.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37173

This section will delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The CVE-2021-37173 vulnerability involves insufficiently restricted file read and write operations in the command line interface of the impacted RUGGEDCOM ROX devices. This oversight allows low privileged users to elevate their privileges and potentially gain root access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Siemens' RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000, RX1400, RX1500, RX1501, RX1510, RX1511, RX1512, RX1524, RX1536, and RX5000 devices running versions lower than V2.14.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, an authenticated remote attacker could misuse the insufficient restrictions on file operations to execute commands with elevated privileges, ultimately gaining unauthorized root access to the device.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-37173, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected devices and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Administrators should consider restricting access to the command line interface, monitoring for unusual file read and write activities, and promptly applying security updates and patches provided by Siemens.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should follow security best practices such as regular security audits, network segmentation, user access controls, and employee training to enhance overall cybersecurity posture.

Patching and Updates

Siemens has likely released patches addressing the CVE-2021-37173 vulnerability. It is crucial for users to regularly check for updates from Siemens, apply patches promptly, and adhere to recommended security configurations to mitigate the risk of exploitation.