CVE-2024-41794: Siemens 7KT PAC1260 Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2024-41794 Overview

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the Siemens SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager affecting all versions. The affected devices contain hardcoded credentials for remote access to the device operating system with root privileges. This could allow unauthenticated remote attackers to gain full access to a device if they are in possession of these credentials and if the SSH service is enabled (e.g., by exploitation of CVE-2024-41793).

Critical Impact

Hardcoded root credentials enable complete device takeover, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, modify configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially pivot to other network systems.

Affected Products

• Siemens SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager (All versions)
• Siemens 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager Firmware (All versions)

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-04-08 - CVE-2024-41794 published to NVD
• 2025-09-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-41794

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials), representing a severe security design flaw in the Siemens SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 Data Manager. The firmware contains embedded credentials that provide root-level access to the device's operating system. Unlike dynamically generated or user-configurable credentials, these hardcoded values are identical across all deployed devices, creating a systemic vulnerability that affects every installation.

The exploitation scenario becomes viable when the SSH service is enabled on the device. Notably, CVE-2024-41793 can be leveraged to enable SSH access, creating a potential attack chain where multiple vulnerabilities are combined for complete device compromise. Once an attacker obtains the hardcoded credentials (through firmware analysis, reverse engineering, or disclosure), they can authenticate remotely and gain unrestricted root access.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the inclusion of static, hardcoded credentials within the device firmware. This represents a fundamental security anti-pattern where developers embedded fixed authentication credentials during development, likely for debugging or maintenance purposes, and failed to remove or replace them with a secure authentication mechanism before production release. The credentials grant root-level privileges, meaning successful authentication bypasses all access controls and provides complete administrative authority over the device.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-41794 is network-based, requiring no user interaction or prior authentication. An attacker with network access to the target device can exploit this vulnerability through the following approach:

1. The attacker first ensures SSH service is enabled on the target device (potentially by exploiting CVE-2024-41793)
2. Using the hardcoded credentials extracted from firmware analysis or other sources, the attacker initiates an SSH connection to the device
3. Upon successful authentication with the embedded root credentials, the attacker gains complete control over the device operating system
4. With root access, the attacker can modify device configurations, intercept or manipulate energy monitoring data, install persistent backdoors, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for lateral movement within the industrial network

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in industrial environments where energy management devices like the SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 are deployed, as compromise could impact operational technology (OT) networks.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-41794

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected SSH login attempts or successful authentications to SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 devices
• Anomalous root-level process execution or system modifications on affected devices
• Unexplained configuration changes to energy monitoring parameters
• Network connections from the device to external or unusual IP addresses

Detection Strategies

• Monitor SSH authentication logs for login attempts from unauthorized IP addresses or at unusual times
• Implement network intrusion detection rules to identify SSH connections to industrial control devices from untrusted network segments
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical system files to detect unauthorized modifications
• Utilize SentinelOne Singularity platform for behavioral analysis and detection of post-exploitation activities

Monitoring Recommendations

• Establish baseline network behavior for SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 devices and alert on deviations
• Configure centralized logging for all authentication events on OT network devices
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement attempts from compromised devices
• Review device access logs regularly for signs of unauthorized root-level access

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-41794

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable SSH service on affected devices unless absolutely required for operations
• Implement strict network segmentation to isolate SENTRON 7KT PAC1260 devices from untrusted networks
• Deploy firewall rules to restrict SSH access to authorized management stations only
• Monitor for Siemens security updates and apply patches as soon as they become available

Patch Information

Siemens has released a security advisory addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-187636 for the latest patch information and remediation guidance. Contact Siemens support for firmware updates that address the hardcoded credentials issue.

Workarounds

• Disable SSH service entirely if remote management is not operationally required
• Implement VPN or jump server architecture to control and audit all management access to affected devices
• Deploy network access control (NAC) to restrict which systems can communicate with industrial devices
• Apply defense-in-depth measures including intrusion detection systems at network boundaries protecting OT environments

# Example: Restrict SSH access via firewall rules (adjust for your environment)
# Block SSH (port 22) access to SENTRON devices from untrusted networks
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -s <trusted_management_subnet> -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -j DROP