Path Traversal in Siemens IAM Client SDK

Executive Summary

CVE-2025-40945 is an untrusted search path vulnerability in the IAM Client SDK affecting multiple Siemens products. This vulnerability occurs when the software uses an unquoted search path, which could allow an authenticated local attacker to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.

The vulnerability is present in products such as COMOS, Designcenter NX, Simcenter 3D, Simcenter Femap, Simcenter Nastran, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, Solid Edge, Teamcenter Visualization, Tecnomatix Plant Simulation, and Tecnomatix Process Simulate. The issue arises because the software does not properly validate the search path for executable files, enabling privilege escalation via local access.

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Detection Guidance

Detecting this vulnerability involves checking for the presence of affected Siemens products and verifying their versions. Since the vulnerability is related to an unquoted search path in the IAM Client SDK, you can look for installed versions of the affected software listed in the CVE description.

• Check installed software versions: Use system inventory tools or commands to list installed Siemens products and their versions. For example, on Windows, you can use the 'Programs and Features' control panel or PowerShell commands like 'Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product' to identify installed software.
• Verify version numbers: Compare the installed versions against the affected versions listed in the CVE description. Any version below the patched versions (e.g., COMOS V10.4.5.0.2, COMOS V10.6.1, etc.) is vulnerable.
• Check for unquoted service paths: The vulnerability involves an unquoted search path. On Windows, you can use the 'sc qc' command to query service configurations. For example, run 'sc qc <service_name>' and look for unquoted paths in the 'BINARY_PATH_NAME' field.
• Review IAM Client SDK installations: If the IAM Client SDK is installed separately, verify its version and ensure it is not vulnerable. This may require checking installation directories or registry entries.

For detailed detection steps, refer to Siemens' official advisory or documentation, as they may provide specific tools or scripts for identifying vulnerable installations.

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Impact Analysis

If you are using any of the affected Siemens products, this vulnerability could allow an authenticated local attacker to escalate their privileges on the system. This means an attacker with access to the system could gain higher-level permissions, potentially leading to:

• Unauthorized access to sensitive data or system functions.
• Execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges, which could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the system.
• Disruption of system operations or services, leading to downtime or loss of productivity.

The CVSS scores (6.7 for v3.1 and 8.5 for v4.0) indicate that this is a high-severity vulnerability, meaning the risk of exploitation is significant if not mitigated.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could impact compliance with several common standards and regulations, depending on the context in which the affected Siemens products are used:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): If the affected system processes or stores personal data of EU citizens, a privilege escalation vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to this data. This may result in a data breach, which must be reported under GDPR, potentially leading to fines and reputational damage.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): If the affected products are used in healthcare environments to handle protected health information (PHI), this vulnerability could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of PHI. Non-compliance with HIPAA could result in penalties and legal consequences.
• Industrial and sector-specific standards (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-53): Many standards require organizations to maintain the security and integrity of their systems. A privilege escalation vulnerability could violate these requirements, leading to non-compliance and potential audit failures.

To maintain compliance, organizations should apply the patches or mitigations provided by Siemens as soon as possible and ensure that their systems are protected against unauthorized access.

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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, follow these immediate steps:

• Apply the latest patches: Install the updated versions of the affected Siemens products as listed in the CVE description. For example, upgrade COMOS to V10.4.5.0.2 or V10.6.1, Simcenter 3D to V2512.7000, and so on.
• Implement countermeasures for unpatched products: If patches are not yet available for a specific product, follow Siemens' recommended countermeasures. These may include restricting local access, using least privilege principles, or disabling unnecessary services.
• Fix unquoted service paths: For services related to the IAM Client SDK, ensure that all service paths are properly quoted. This can be done by editing the service configuration using the 'sc config' command in Windows. For example, run 'sc config <service_name> binPath= "<full_path_to_executable>"'.
• Restrict local access: Limit local user access to systems running the affected software. Ensure only authorized personnel with a legitimate need can log in locally.
• Monitor for suspicious activity: Enable logging and monitoring for unusual privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized access to the affected systems.
• Follow Siemens' security recommendations: Review the general security guidelines provided by Siemens, such as protecting network access, applying defense-in-depth strategies, and adhering to operational guidelines for industrial security.

For further details and support, consult the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-288252 or contact Siemens ProductCERT.

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