CVE-2021-37174 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in various Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX devices, allowing an attacker to gain root user access.

Understanding CVE-2021-37174

This CVE refers to a privilege escalation vulnerability affecting multiple Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX devices.

What is CVE-2021-37174?

CVE-2021-37174 is a vulnerability that exists in the affected versions of Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX devices, enabling unauthorized users to escalate their privileges and potentially gain root access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37174

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow malicious actors to obtain elevated privileges on the targeted devices, leading to unauthorized access and control over critical systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37174

The following technical details outline the vulnerability found in the affected Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX devices:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw resides in the privilege management mechanism of the devices, which could be exploited by attackers to elevate their privileges and achieve root access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts all versions of the following Siemens RUGGEDCOM ROX products, with versions older than V2.14.1 being affected:

RUGGEDCOM ROX MX5000
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1400
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1500
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1501
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1510
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1511
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1512
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1524
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX1536
RUGGEDCOM ROX RX5000

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the privilege escalation flaw in the affected Siemens devices, granting them unauthorized access to critical systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-37174, users and administrators are advised to take the following actions:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected devices to version V2.14.1 or later, as this release contains patches to address the privilege escalation vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic and system logs for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all devices and software to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit the impact of potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Siemens has released a patch for the impacted products. Users should apply the latest updates provided by Siemens to remediate the privilege escalation vulnerability.