CVE-2024-41791: Siemens 7KT PAC1260 Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2024-41791 Overview

CVE-2024-41791 affects the Siemens SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager across all firmware versions. The web interface fails to authenticate report creation requests. An unauthenticated remote attacker with network access to the device can read or clear log files, reset the device, or change the system date and time. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-306] Missing Authentication for Critical Function. Siemens published advisory SSA-187636 to track the issue.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can tamper with device logs, disrupt operation through resets, and manipulate system time on energy monitoring equipment.

Affected Products

Siemens SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager (all hardware revisions)
Siemens SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager Firmware (all versions)
Deployments using the built-in web interface for report generation

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-08 - CVE-2024-41791 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-41791

Vulnerability Analysis

The SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager exposes a web interface used for configuration and report generation. The report creation endpoints do not verify caller identity before executing requested actions. Attackers reach these endpoints over the network without credentials, cookies, or tokens.

The endpoints handle more than report generation. They also accept commands that read log files, clear log files, reset the device, and set date and time. The absence of authentication turns administrative functions into anonymous operations.

Because the device performs energy monitoring, log manipulation erases forensic evidence of tampering. Time changes distort measurement records tied to billing or grid analytics. Device resets interrupt data collection cycles.

Root Cause

The root cause is a missing authentication check on report creation handlers within the web interface, tracked as [CWE-306]. The application logic assumes requests reaching these endpoints are authorized, without validating a session or credential. No compensating access control enforces least privilege at the network layer by default.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network reachability to the device web interface, low attack complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction. An attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable report endpoints and receives responses or triggers side effects. Devices exposed to shared operational technology (OT) networks or, worse, to the internet are directly reachable. The vulnerability does not require chaining with other flaws.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-187636 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-41791

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected gaps or truncation in device log files without a corresponding administrative action
Sudden device reboots recorded in upstream SCADA or monitoring systems
System clock drift or abrupt time changes on the 7KT PAC1260 that do not match NTP synchronization events
HTTP requests to report creation URLs from unrecognized source addresses

Detection Strategies

Inspect HTTP access logs on the device or upstream proxies for anonymous requests targeting report and administrative endpoints
Correlate device reset events with authenticated administrative sessions; unattributed resets indicate abuse
Monitor for log clearing events that occur outside scheduled maintenance windows

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward device event logs and syslog streams to a centralized SIEM for tamper-evident storage
Alert on time synchronization deltas exceeding a defined threshold on OT metering devices
Track HTTP request patterns to the 7KT PAC1260 web interface and baseline expected administrative sources

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-41791

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to the 7KT PAC1260 web interface to trusted management hosts using firewall or VLAN segmentation
Remove the device from any internet-facing exposure and verify with external scanning
Review device logs and configuration for evidence of unauthorized resets, log clearing, or time changes
Consult Siemens Security Advisory SSA-187636 for the latest vendor guidance

Patch Information

Siemens has published advisory SSA-187636 covering CVE-2024-41791. Consult the advisory for the current fix status and any recommended firmware update for the SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager. Apply vendor-supplied updates through standard OT change management processes.

Workarounds

Place the device behind a network access control layer that permits only authenticated engineering workstations to reach the web interface
Disable or block external access to report creation URLs at the perimeter until a firmware fix is deployed
Follow Siemens operational guidelines for securing industrial control systems, including defense-in-depth network segmentation

bash

# Example firewall restriction limiting web interface access to a trusted management subnet
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -s 10.20.30.0/24 -d <device_ip> --dport 80 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -p tcp -d <device_ip> --dport 80 -j DROP